Sarah A Keim1,2,3,4, Jamie L Jackson5,6,7,8, Jennifer L Litteral5,6,7,8, Kyle A Schofield5,6,7,8, Canice E Crerand5,6,7,8. 1. Center for Biobehavioral Health, The Research Institute At Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Childrens Dr, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA. sarah.keim@nationwidechildrens.org. 2. Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA. sarah.keim@nationwidechildrens.org. 3. Division of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA. sarah.keim@nationwidechildrens.org. 4. Department of Plastic Surgery, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA. sarah.keim@nationwidechildrens.org. 5. Center for Biobehavioral Health, The Research Institute At Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Childrens Dr, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA. 6. Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA. 7. Division of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA. 8. Department of Plastic Surgery, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Many women seek lactation consultant support in the postpartum period. Lactation consultant support in community or clinical settings is often assumed to extend breastfeeding duration, improve breastfeeding experiences, and be well-received. Few studies have assessed women's perceptions of the support they received, nor have perceptions been examined in relationship to breastfeeding outcomes and maternal well-being. Our objective was to characterize the lactation consultant support women received and examine how women's perceptions about the support related to their breastfeeding outcomes, anxiety and depressive symptoms, and parenting stress. METHODS: This observational, cross-sectional study examined receipt of postpartum lactation consultant support among 210 US women. Perceptions of lactation consultant support were examined in relation to breastfeeding outcomes, anxiety and depressive symptoms, and parenting stress to explore outcomes of negative versus positive lactation consultant support experiences, using linear and proportional hazards regression. RESULTS: While overall perceptions of lactation consultant support were positive for most recipients (71%, n = 98), 29% (n = 40) reported negative perceptions of lactation consultant support. Negative perceptions were associated with lower breastfeeding self-efficacy (β = - 11.7, 95% CI - 17.3, - 6.0), a less successful breastfeeding experience (β = - 19.5, CI - 27.8, - 11.3), greater general anxiety (β = 6.5, CI 2.1, 10.9), and shorter total duration of milk production (HR = 0.39, 95% CI 0.18, 0.84). Perceptions were not associated with depressive symptoms or parenting stress. DISCUSSION: Findings highlight the importance of ensuring that postpartum breastfeeding support provided by lactation consultants is perceived as positive by women.
INTRODUCTION: Many women seek lactation consultant support in the postpartum period. Lactation consultant support in community or clinical settings is often assumed to extend breastfeeding duration, improve breastfeeding experiences, and be well-received. Few studies have assessed women's perceptions of the support they received, nor have perceptions been examined in relationship to breastfeeding outcomes and maternal well-being. Our objective was to characterize the lactation consultant support women received and examine how women's perceptions about the support related to their breastfeeding outcomes, anxiety and depressive symptoms, and parenting stress. METHODS: This observational, cross-sectional study examined receipt of postpartum lactation consultant support among 210 US women. Perceptions of lactation consultant support were examined in relation to breastfeeding outcomes, anxiety and depressive symptoms, and parenting stress to explore outcomes of negative versus positive lactation consultant support experiences, using linear and proportional hazards regression. RESULTS: While overall perceptions of lactation consultant support were positive for most recipients (71%, n = 98), 29% (n = 40) reported negative perceptions of lactation consultant support. Negative perceptions were associated with lower breastfeeding self-efficacy (β = - 11.7, 95% CI - 17.3, - 6.0), a less successful breastfeeding experience (β = - 19.5, CI - 27.8, - 11.3), greater general anxiety (β = 6.5, CI 2.1, 10.9), and shorter total duration of milk production (HR = 0.39, 95% CI 0.18, 0.84). Perceptions were not associated with depressive symptoms or parenting stress. DISCUSSION: Findings highlight the importance of ensuring that postpartum breastfeeding support provided by lactation consultants is perceived as positive by women.
Authors: Paul A Harris; Robert Taylor; Robert Thielke; Jonathon Payne; Nathaniel Gonzalez; Jose G Conde Journal: J Biomed Inform Date: 2008-09-30 Impact factor: 6.317
Authors: Karen Bonuck; Alison Stuebe; Josephine Barnett; Miriam H Labbok; Jason Fletcher; Peter S Bernstein Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2013-12-19 Impact factor: 9.308