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The Impact of Community Health Professional Contact Postpartum on Breastfeeding at 3 Months: A Cross-Sectional Retrospective Study

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Abstract

This study investigated the effect of any health professional contact and the types of contact new mothers received in the first 10 days post-discharge on breastfeeding rates at 3 months. This cross-sectional retrospective self-report survey was distributed to women who birthed in Queensland, Australia between 1st February and 31st May 2010 at 4–5 months postpartum. Data were collected on pregnancy, birth, postpartum care and infant feeding. Logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between health professional contact and breastfeeding at 3 months. Data were analysed by birthing facility sector because of significant differences between sectors in health professional contact. The study cohort consisted of 6,852 women. Women in the public sector were more likely to be visited at home than women birthing in the private sector. Any health professional contact (AOR 1.65 99 % CI 0.98–2.76 public sector, AOR 0.78 99 % CI 0.59–1.03 private sector) and home visits (AOR 1.50 99 % CI 0.89–2.54 public sector, AOR 0.80 99 % CI 0.46–1.39 private sector) were not associated with breastfeeding at 3 months in either sector. A telephone call (AOR 2.07 99 % CI 1.06–4.03) or visit to a general practitioner (GP) (AOR 1.83 99 % CI 1.04–3.21) increased the odds of breastfeeding in public sector women. Health professional contact or home visiting in the first 10 days post-discharge did not have a significant impact on breastfeeding rates at 3 months. Post-discharge telephone contact for all women and opportunities for self-initiated clinic visits for women assessed to be at higher risk of ceasing breastfeeding may be the most effective care.

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Acknowledgments

This study was conducted as part of the Having a Baby in Queensland Survey Program of the Queensland Centre for Mothers & Babies (QCMB) at The University of Queensland. We are grateful to the Queensland Government for funding, to the women who provided survey data and to the Queensland Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages for inviting women to participate on behalf of QCMB.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Discipline of General Practice, School of Medicine, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, The University of Queensland, Level 8, Health Sciences Building, Herston, Brisbane, QLD, 4029, Australia

    Wendy E. Brodribb

  2. School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

    Yvette D. Miller

  3. School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

    Yvette D. Miller

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  1. Wendy E. Brodribb
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  2. Yvette D. Miller
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Correspondence to Wendy E. Brodribb.

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Brodribb, W.E., Miller, Y.D. The Impact of Community Health Professional Contact Postpartum on Breastfeeding at 3 Months: A Cross-Sectional Retrospective Study. Matern Child Health J 18, 1591–1598 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-013-1398-3

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