Lactation Consultants Increase Breast-feeding



Pre- and postnatal visits with a certified lactation consultant (LC) coupled with electronic reminders for healthcare providers to discuss breast-feeding at prenatal visits may boost breast-feeding duration and intensity, new research shows. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breast-feeding for the first 6 months after birth, followed by continued breast-feeding for 1 year as other foods are introduced. Under the Affordable Care Act, private insurers must cover professional breast-feeding support without cost-sharing.


In the Best Infant Nutrition for Good Outcomes (BINGO) trial, 666 primarily low-income women were randomly allocated to 1 of 4 groups: LC alone, LC+EP, EP alone, and usual care. The study team followed-up with the women periodically to assess breast-feeding "intensity," defined as the percentage of all feedings during the last 7 days that were breast milk. At 3 months, high-intensity breast-feeding was greater in the LC+EP group and the LC-only group compared with usual care.

In addition, women in the LC+EP group were more likely to initiate breast-feeding, do "any" breast-feeding at 1 month, and breast-feed exclusively at 3 months postpartum compared with the control group. For the PAIRINGS primary outcome of exclusive breast-feeding at 3 months, rates were significantly higher with LC+EP than usual care.

As in BINGO, any breast-feeding and both high- and medium-intensity breast-feeding were more likely with LC+EP than usual care.
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