Skip to main content

Development and Assessment of an Interactive Web-Based Breastfeeding Monitoring System (LACTOR)

Maternal and Child Health Journal volume 17, pages 809–815 (2013)Cite this article

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to describe an interactive web-based breastfeeding monitoring system (LACTOR), illustrate its components, explain the theoretical framework, and discuss its assessment as a model for an innovative breastfeeding support intervention. Based on the self-regulation model from Bandura Social Cognitive Theory, we have developed an interactive web-based breastfeeding monitoring system using a breastfeeding diary. The system has two main components: the Mothers’ Portal, where mothers can enter their breastfeeding data and receive notifications, and the Lactation Consultants’ Portal, where mothers’ data can be monitored. The system is designed to send notifications to mothers in case of breastfeeding problems using triggers such as inability to latch, sleepy infant, jaundice, and maternal sore nipples. A prospective, descriptive, mixed methods study was conducted to examine the feasibility, usability, and acceptability of LACTOR among breastfeeding mothers. Eligible mothers were asked to enter their breastfeeding data into the system daily for 30 days and then submit an online system evaluation survey. Twenty-six mother/infant dyads completed the study. Feasibility of the system was established by the mothers’ compliance in entering breastfeeding data. The system proved to be user-friendly. The mothers said that the monitoring was beneficial and gave them an opportunity to track their children’s feeding patterns and detect any problems early. Mothers also appreciated the notifications and interventions received through the system. We concluded that the system is feasible and acceptable among breastfeeding mothers and a promising tool for maintaining communication between mothers and lactation consultants.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

43,34 €

Price includes VAT (Finland)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

References

  1. Ip, S., Chung, M., Raman, G., Chew, P., Magula, N., DeVine, D., et al. (2007). Breastfeeding and maternal and infant health outcomes in developed countries: Evidence report/technology assessment no. 153. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; AHRQ Publication no. 07-E.

  2. American Academy of Pediatrics, Section on Breastfeeding. (2012). Breastfeeding and the use of human milk. Pediatrics, 129, e827. doi:10.1542/peds.2011-3552.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Kramer, M. (2010). Breast is best: The evidence. Early Human Development, 86, 729–732.

    PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Kramer, M., et al. (2008). Breastfeeding and child cognitive development: New evidence from a large randomized trial. Archive of General Psychiatry, 65(5), 578–584.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Lawrence, R. A., & Lawrence, R. M. (2010). Breastfeeding: A guide for the medical profession (7th ed.). Philadelphia: Saunders.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Owen, C., Martin, R., Whincup, P., Smith, D., & Cook, D. (2006). Does breastfeeding influence risk of type 2 diabetes in later life? A quantitative analysis of published evidence. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 84(5), 1043–1054.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Owen, C., Whincup, P., Kaye, S., et al. (2008). Does initial breastfeeding lead to lower cholesterol in adult life? A quantitative review of the evidence. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 88, 305–314.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Bartick, M., & Reinhold, A. (2010). The burden of suboptimal breastfeeding in the United States: A pediatric cost analysis. Pediatrics, 125, e1048–e1056.

    PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2012). Breastfeeding report card, United States 2011. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/pdf/2011BreastfeedingReportCard.pdf.

  10. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2011). The Surgeon General’s call to action to support breastfeeding. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Surgeon General.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Hurst, N. (2007). Recognizing and treating delayed or failed lactogenesis II. The Journal of Midwifery and Women’s Health, 52(6), 588–594.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Pollard, D. L. (2011). Impact of a feeding log on breastfeeding duration and exclusivity. Maternal Child Health Journal, 15(3), 395–400.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Ahmed, A. H., & Sands, L. P. (2010). Effect of pre- and post-discharge interventions on breastfeeding outcomes and weight gain among premature infants. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Neonatal Nursing, 39(1), 53–63.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Chung, M., Ip, S., Yu, W., Raman, G., Trikalinos, T., DeVine, D., et al. (2008). Interventions in primary care to promote breastfeeding: A systematic review, 2008. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (U.S.); Octber Report No.: 09-05126-EF-1.

  15. Jan, R. L., Wang, J. Y., Huang, M. C., Tseng, S. M., et al. (2007). An internet-based interactive telemonitoring system for improving childhood asthma outcomes in Taiwan. Telemedicine and e-Health, 13(3), 257–268.

    PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Bandura, A. (2005). The primacy of self-regulation in health promotion. Applied Psychology: An international review, 54(2), 245–254.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Bandura, A. (2004). Health promotion by social cognitive means. Health Educational Behavior, 31(2), 143–164.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Kanfer, F. (1970). Self-monitoring: Methodological limitations and clinical applications. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 35, 148–152.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Karoly, P. (1993). Mechanism of self-regulation: A systems view. Annual Review of Psychology, 44, 23–52.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Wilde, M. H., & Garvin, S. (2007). A concept analysis of self-monitoring. Journal of Advanced Nutrition, 57(3), 339–350.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Bandura, A. (1989). Human agency in social cognitive theory. American Psychology, 44, 1175–1184.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Ahmed, A. & Ouzzani, M. (2012). Interactive web-based breastfeeding monitoring: Feasibility, usability, and acceptability. Journal of Human Lactation, 28(4), (in press).

Download references

Acknowledgments

This study was funded by a grant from the International Lactation Consultants Association (ILCA).

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest for this article.

Author information

Affiliations

  1. School of Nursing, Purdue University, 502 N. University St, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA

    Azza Ahmed

  2. Qatar Computing Research Institute, Qatar Foundation, P.O. Box: 5825, Doha, Qatar

    Mourad Ouzzani

Authors
  1. Azza Ahmed
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mourad Ouzzani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Azza Ahmed.

Additional information

This Manuscript describes the process of developing an interactive breastfeeding monitoring system, illustrates the components of the system and discuss its assessment in an effort to improve breastfeeding monitoring and follow up breastfeeding mothers after hospital discharge.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ahmed, A., Ouzzani, M. Development and Assessment of an Interactive Web-Based Breastfeeding Monitoring System (LACTOR). Matern Child Health J 17, 809–815 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-012-1074-z

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-012-1074-z

Keywords

  • Breastfeeding
  • Web-based monitoring
  • Self-monitoring
  • Self-regulation