You Can Make a Difference: Increasing Breasifeeding Rates in an Inner-City Clinic

Abstract

Breastfeeding is endorsed in the United States as the ideal infant feeding method, but initiation rates are far behind U.S. national goals, and are generally lower in poorer socioeconomic groups. The goal of the project described was to increase breastfeeding rates in an inner-city clinic. The intervention consisted of prenatal breastfeeding education for all pregnant women, postpartum gift packs, and support groups. During the study, the breastfeeding initiation rate rose from 36% to 66% (p<0.05) and the proportion still breastfeeding at 2 weeks postpartum increased from 35% to 57% (p<O.O5). The cost of the project was minimal. The biggest expense was the discharge packets. We conclude that relatively inexpensive interventions can have a significant impact on breastfeeding initiation, even in a population at high risk of not breastfeeding.