A Randomized Controlled Trial of an Antenatal Intervention to Increase Exclusive Breastfeeding (ABFS)

The University of Hong Kong (HKU)

Status: Completed

Conditions: Breastfeeding; Pregnancy

Treatments: Other: Antenatal Breastfeeding Intervention

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01648114

ABFS-1

Details and patient eligibility

About

The investigators will conduct an educational intervention for pregnant women who are planning to breastfeed to promote exclusive breastfeeding and to increase the duration of breastfeeding.

Full description

The intervention will include a 20 to 30-minute one-to-one educational talk by a lactation expert explaining the facts of breastfeeding and answering participant questions. The educational intervention will focus on: (1) the importance of exclusive breastfeeding, (2) milk supply/demand and feeding on demand, (3) frequency of feedings, feeding cues, how to know an infant is getting enough milk, (4) avoiding artificial nipples until the infant is nursing well, (5) the importance of a good latch, (5) where to seek breastfeeding help and support, and (7) returning to work and continuing breastfeeding.

Enrollment: 472 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

1. singleton pregnancy,
2. primiparous
3. 18 years of age or older,
4. at least 36 weeks of gestation,
5. Cantonese speaking,
6. Hong Kong resident,
7. no serious medical or obstetrical complications,
8. staying in Hong Kong for at least 6 months after delivery, and
9. intention to breastfeed.

Exclusion criteria

Participants will be excluded from the study if they are not entitled to health benefits in Hong Kong (NEP).

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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472 participants in 2 patient groups

Control

No Intervention group

Description:

Usual outpatient antenatal care consists of routine checking of the maternal and foetal health by either clinic midwives or obstetricians along with health education to promote a healthy pregnancy.

Antenatal Breastfeeding Intervention

Experimental group

Description:

Antenatal intervention group will receive usual care plus a 20 to 30-minute one-to-one educational intervention about breastfeeding.

Treatment:

Other: Antenatal Breastfeeding Intervention