Despite recommendations by several health authorities, the rate of sustained exclusive breastfeeding for two months is less than fifty-five percent in Canada. The two most common reasons for early discontinuation are problems with milk supply and difficulty with technique. Antenatal hand expression (AHE) is a method used to assist with colostrum collection in low-risk pregnancies near term. This method has been shown to have several benefits, including increased milk supply at birth. This study aims to determine if the employment of antenatal hand expression in low-risk pregnancies near term affects the rate of sustained breastfeeding exclusively to two months.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
176
Standardized counselling and provision of information/resources on the practice of antenatal hand expression to encourage milk let down and colostrum production/collection.
Exclusive breastfeeding to two months
Participant-reported data on newborn dietary intake, collected by telephone questionnaire
Time frame: This metric measured by questionnaire at two months
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