A training program on exclusive breastfeeding in maternity wards

OBJECTIVES: To estimate whether a 3-day training program for health professionals was followed by changes in maternity ward practices and in the rate of exclusive breastfeeding. METHODS: A retrospective study in the maternity ward of a French university hospital involved two cross-sectional samples of 323 mother-infant pairs in 1997 and 324 in 2000. RESULTS: The rate of exclusive breastfeeding at discharge increased from 15.8% (12.0-20.2) in the before sample to 35.2% (30.0-40.6) in the after sample (P<0.01). This result persisted in the multivariable analysis [adjusted odds ratio, 2.74 (1.72-4.37)]. Infants in the before sample were less likely to be breastfed within 1 h of birth (9.2% vs. 16.9%, P=0.01), to room-in 24 h/day (56.6% vs. 72.6%, P<0.01), and were more likely to receive formula supplementation (77.6% vs. 54.0%, P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: A training program for health professionals can be effective in improving maternity ward practices and increasing exclusive breastfeeding rate at discharge.