Impact of Lactation Antenatal Teaching by Clinicians and Healthcare Providers

Impact of Lactation Antenatal Teaching by Clinicians and Healthcare Providers: Randomized Control Trial

The purpose of this study is to increase the rate of exclusive breastfeeding at 6 weeks postpartum in the Inland Empire by addressing inadequate antenatal breastfeeding education for patients.

A total of 196 participants will be enrolled and randomized into two groups: an experimental cohort that receives supplemental breastfeeding education during three of their scheduled prenatal visits, and a control group that continues with standard prenatal care alone. Medical students will undergo lactation counselor training to be prepared to visit and educate patients. Both arms of the study will take a pre-survey at the first visit and a post-survey at 6 weeks postpartum to evaluate breastfeeding knowledge, confidence, and motivation. Medical students will also take a survey pre-training and post-study to evaluate growth in breastfeeding education.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Nulliparous mothers
• Multiparous mothers who did not breastfeed previous children or breastfed previous children for less than 6 months

Exclusion Criteria:

• Mothers planning to use formula
• Multiparous mothers who previously breastfed for more than 6 months
• Mothers with HIV
• Mothers with a history of breast reduction surgery
• Infants with major birth defects that may impede growth or feeding, such as cleft lip and/or palate, cardiac defects, and gastrointestinal defects