World Breastfeeding Week 2012

To coincide with World Breastfeeding Week 2012, we highlight two recent systematic reviews available on DARE that examine the role of support for women who are considering or already are breastfeeding their child.

 The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that, wherever possible, infants should be fed exclusively on breast milk until six months of age (WHO 2003). Although rates of breastfeeding initiation and continuation can be very high in some countries, they are suboptimal in many countries. A recent Cochrane Review has examined interventions which provide extra support for mothers who are breastfeeding or considering breastfeeding; and has assessed their impact on breastfeeding duration (Renfrew, 2012). The review which included 52 studies conducted in 21 countries, found that support is most likely to be effective in settings where initiation rates are already high. Support may be offered either by health professionals or peers but was more likely to succeed when delivered face-to-face.

 In the UK, NICE has recommended that peer support programmes should be used to increase breast feeding, especially among women with low incomes (NICE, 2008). Another recent systematic review has examined the effects setting, intensity, and timing of peer support on breast feeding (Jolly, 2012). The review of 17 studies found that peer support can be effective in increasing continuation of exclusive breast feeding and should be recommended in low / middle income countries. Where breastfeeding support is already part of routine postnatal healthcare such as in the UK or in other similar high income countries, peer support (involving fewer than five planned contacts) may not be effective.

 The CRD Databases provide access to other critically appraised systematic reviews and economic evaluations relevant to breastfeeding. To search for these click here.

 References

1. Jolly K, Ingram LM, Khan KS, Deeks JJ, Freemantle N, MacArthur C. Systematic review of peer support for breastfeeding continuation: metaregression analysis of the effect of setting, intensity, and timing.BMJ 2012; 344: 10.1136/bmj.d8287
2.  National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. Improving the nutrition of pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and children in low-income households. NICE public health guidance 11. London: National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, 2008.
3.  Renfrew MJ, McCormick FM, Wade A, Quinn B, Dowswell T. Support for healthy breastfeeding mothers with healthy term babies. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews: Reviews 2012, Issue 5. Art. No.: CD001141. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001141.pub4.
4.  World Health Organization, UNICEF. Global strategy for infant and young child feeding. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2003.