In this pilot randomized control trial, the investigators will evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of using a video and website in a prenatal visit to provide breastfeeding education, focusing on how to hand express (HE) breast milk. Participants will be randomized to the video/website intervention group or to the control standard of care group. After delivery, participants will be asked to provide information on how long they breastfed and if they used the information in the video and website. Differences in the outcome measures will be analyzed between the two groups.
This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of a new method for teaching breastfeeding skills, and may provide evidence that hand expression (HE) to augment milk production in the first days postpartum can help women breastfeed. Few studies have evaluated the use of HE for improving breastfeeding outcomes. This study will also evaluate the impact of a new video/website which can be utilized widely and adapted for other populations, both in clinical and non-clinical settings. Prenatal patients receiving care at a community health center in the Boston area will be invited to participate in the study at approximately 28 weeks gestation. Participants will complete a baseline questionnaire prior to randomization which will occur at the \~36 week prenatal visit. A 1:1 randomization schedule will be applied. Control arm: participants will be given usual care handouts and the study provider will provide anticipatory guidance and offer to answer any questions about breastfeeding. Intervention arm: participants will be shown the breastfeeding education video on a study tablet, and provided a QR code which will give them access to the associated website. After watching the video, study staff will then offer to review hand expression by answering questions and reviewing steps, and physically helping the patient to practice hand expression. Hands-on teaching of hand expression will be opt-in only and not required for study participation. Text messages will be sent to the intervention arm participants with the link to the intervention video and website, and a brief message reminding them to review the materials and to hand express frequently starting immediately after delivery. All participants (both arms) will be contacted to fill out a very brief, 10-item questionnaire (approximately 5 minutes) at 3 days postpartum, and short questionnaires (10-15 minutes) at 14 days and 60 days postpartum. Questionnaires will ask about use of hand expression, breastfeeding, formula use, perceived breastfeeding problems, breastfeeding efficacy and satisfaction with prenatal breastfeeding education. In all questionnaires participants will be asked about pain and potential adverse events. Participant and neonatal electronic medical records will reviewed through 2 months postpartum.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
An introductory video (15 minutes) gives an overview of these "ABCs" (video titled "Term baby" which are further taught through brief text summaries (150-200 words) and short instructional videos (2-6 minutes).
The website firstdroplets.com is designed for prenatal education, focusing on the "ABCs of breastfeeding that come before D (delivery)" - attachment (latch), breastmilk production, and calories (transfer of milk to baby).
The usual breastfeed education includes brief counseling by study staff and provision of handouts on latch/positioning and common first week breastfeeding advice
Manet Community Health Center
Quincy, Massachusetts, United States
Proportion using hand expression
Proportion of respondents who have performed hand expression since their baby was born
Time frame: 3 days post partum
Mean times hand expression in past 24 hours
Mean number of times performed hand expression in past 24 hours
Time frame: 3 days post partum
Mean hand expression experience scale
Mean score on the following set of questions (adapted from the Breast Milk Expression Experience measure): How much do you agree with the following? (1=strongly disagree, 2=disagree, 3=neither agree nor disagree, 4=agree, 5=strongly agree) 1. My family members support hand expression. 2. My partner supports hand expression. 3. I feel peaceful when hand expressing. 4. I look forward to hand expressing. 5. I enjoy hand expressing. 6. Hand expressing is something I could do easily while doing other things. 7. Hand expressing feels awkward. 8. Hand expression makes me feel confident my baby is getting enough milk
Time frame: 3 days post partum
Proportion exclusively breastfeeding
Proportion who report only giving breastmilk within the past 24 hours
Time frame: 2 months
Proportion any breastfeeding
Proportion who report giving any breastmilk within the past 24 hours
Time frame: 2 months
Breast feeding self-efficacy
Breast feeding confidence will be assessed using the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale Short form (BSES-SF) is a 14-item self-administered instrument derived from the original 33-item BSES that measures breastfeeding confidence. All items are preceded by the phrase ''I can always'' and rated on a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from 1 (not at all confident) to 5 (always confident). Scores can range form 14 to 70 and higher scores are associated with higher levels of breast feeding confidence.
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Time frame: 14 days
Proportion with concern for low milk production
Proportion of mothers who report concern for low milk production
Time frame: 14 days
Hand expression comprehension
Proportion of correct comprehension of hand expression technique and application after viewing video
Time frame: 36 weeks gestation
Satisfaction with video
Mean reported satisfaction with intervention video, on Likert scale (1=Strongly disagree, 2=Disagree, 3=Neither agree nor disagree, 4=Agree, 5=Strongly agree)
Time frame: 36 weeks gestation