An Evaluation of the Effects of a Breastfeeding Support Program on Health Outcomes

Abstract

Objective. To estimate the causal effect of a Michigan peer counselor (PC) breastfeeding support program for low-income women on infant health outcomes. Data Sources. Program referral forms, program forms (enrollment, birth, and exit data), and state administrative data from the Women Infants and Children program, Medicaid, and Vital Records. Study Design. Quasi-random enrollment due to the excess demand for PC breastfeeding support services allowed us to compare the infants of women who requested services and were enrolled in the program (the treatment group, N = 274) to the infants of women who requested services and were not enrolled (the control group, N = 572). Data were analyzed using regression. Principal Findings. The PC program increased the fraction breastfeeding at birth by 19.3 percent and breastfeeding duration by 2.84 weeks. Program participation also reduced the fraction of infants with gastrointestinal disorders by a statistically significant 7.9 percent. The program, if anything, increased the overall health care utilization. Conclusions. This Michigan PC breastfeeding support program resulted in improvements in breastfeeding and infant health outcomes as measured by the diagnosis of ailments while increasing health care utilization.

Lactation Support Services and Breastfeeding Initiation: Evidence from the Affordable Care Act

“…; Haider et al. ). These studies found the use of lactation consultants and peer or role models for counseling increased breastfeeding duration and intensity.…”

“…education, and about 59-60 percent of Hispanic and black mothers attempt to breastfeed their newborns, according to vital statistics records. 1 Studies have shown that the use of lactation services, including lactation consultants and breast pumps, can increase both a woman's commitment to and her success with breastfeeding (Bonuck et al 2005;Olson et al 2010;Haider et al 2014). These studies found the use of lactation consultants and peer or role models for counseling increased breastfeeding duration and intensity.…”

A realist review of one‐to‐one breastfeeding peer support experiments conducted in developed country settings

“…Study paper(Gross et al, 2009); sibling qualitative study(Gross et al, 2015); training package (United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), n.d., accessed 2017)Yun et al (2010); training package (loving support and peer counselling training, accessed 2017) paper(Di Meglio et al, 2010); training package (La Leche league International, n.d., accessed 2017) paper(Olson et al, 2010); sibling study-health outcomes evaluation(Haider, Chang, Bolton, Gold, & Olson, 2014); sibling study-analysis of participant characteristics(Bolton, Chow, Benton, & Olson, 2009); training package (loving support and peer counselling training, et al (2013); training package (La Leche league International, n.d., accessed 2017)…”

What promotes and hinders success in breastfeeding in hospital care? – the role of social support and anxiety

“…The course of lactation and breastfeeding is an element of multidisciplinary medical care, which should be carried out by competent, friendly personnel knowing how to communicate properly. It is common that success in breastfeeding is dependent on the new mother being surrounded by competent and friendly people to assist her with overcoming difficulties (Haider, Chang, Bolton, Gold, & Olson, 2014).…”