PUMP (Providing the Underprivileged With Manual Pumps): An RCT

PUMP (Providing the Underprivileged With Manual Pumps): A Randomized Controlled Trial

The primary objective of this study is to pilot an intervention of providing manual breast pumps at hospital discharge to low-income, first-time mothers and to generate initial estimates of the effect of this intervention on exclusive breastfeeding rates at 3 months (12 weeks). In this pilot study, we will compare receipt of a breast pump and brief instructions of its use to the active control of receipt of a children's book and brief instructions about reading with baby. As a secondary objective, we will investigate mothers' attitudes and opinions about the manual breast pump intervention with the goal of fine-tuning it to best fit mothers' needs before a larger, multi-center trial. To support our objectives, we will examine the following specific aims:

1. To test the intervention of providing low-income, first time mothers with a manual breast pump at hospital discharge on exclusive breastfeeding rates at 12 weeks.

   Hypothesis: Among low-income first-time mothers, receipt of a manual breast pump at hospital discharge will lead to improved exclusive breastfeeding rates at 12 weeks postpartum compared to receipt of a children's book.

2. To use qualitative methods to determine best practices associated with successful implementation of a breast pump intervention to improve breastfeeding rates among low-income, first-time mothers.

3. To test the effect of receiving a children's board book during the birth hospitalization on parents reading to the baby at 3 months (12 weeks).

Inclusion Criteria:

• WIC-eligibility (income below 185% the federal poverty line)
• liveborn infant
• in the well newborn nursery
• 12-96 hours of age
• infant is breastfeeding

Exclusion Criteria:

• maternal age <18 years
• maternal incarceration
• mother does not speak or read in English
• infant is a twin or higher level multiple
• infant has cleft lip and palate or a known syndrome