Background: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life; however, a lack of access to breastfeeding resources influences breastfeeding initiation and continuation. Tele-lactation services may reduce some of these barriers to access.
Research aims: To identify facilitators and barriers of two modes of tele-health service utilization and to compare the differences between two modes of providing tele-lactation services on breastfeeding knowledge, breastfeeding intention, perceived social support, and 3-month breastfeeding continuation behavior.
Methods: We conducted a mixed method, longitudinal pilot study utilizing prospective convenience sampling and random assignment of postpartum women recruited from two medical centers in Little Rock, Arkansas. Participants (N = 43) were randomized into telephone-only (n = 23) or audio-visual (n = 20) intervention groups. Participants completed a self-administered pre- and post-intervention survey, as well as a semi-structured qualitative phone interview at 4-6 weeks post-discharge.
Results: No significant difference in demographic characteristics across groups was found. At 3 months after discharge, both groups reported continued breastfeeding (telephone-only: n = 17, 81%; audio-visual: n = 18, 90%) with no significant difference between the two groups (p = .663). Additionally, no group differences were found for breastfeeding knowledge or perceived social support. Overall, participants reported positive experiences with tele-lactation, emphasizing the convenience, accessibility, education, and support provided.
Conclusion: We found that both telephone-only and audio-visual delivery of tele-lactation services were equally effective. Both methods of tele-lactation services should be considered by health care providers to encourage and sustain breastfeeding behavior in mothers.
Keywords: Infant Feeding Intentions Scale; International Board Certified Lactation Consultant; Social Support Scale; United States; breastfeeding; breastfeeding support program; mixed methods; tele-lactation; telehealth.