Impact of prenatal, perinatal and postnatal breastfeeding guidance on breastfeeding in the first six months of life.

• Grant number: 25/03057-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2025
• End date: December 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Maternal and Child Health
• Principal Investigator: Maíra Barreto Malta
• Grantee: Gabriela Suman Venancio Alves
• Host Institution: CAMPUS GUARUJA/UNOESTE

Abstract

Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) until six months of age is recommended by the World Health Organization due to its numerous benefits for maternal and child health, including the reduction of infant morbidity and mortality and the strengthening of the mother-baby bond. However, EBF adherence rates remain low in many regions, highlighting the need for effective strategies to promote breastfeeding. Different moments of maternal counseling may influence breastfeeding success, but the effectiveness of each stage has not been fully established. This study aims to evaluate the impact of breastfeeding counseling received at three different moments-during prenatal care, hospital stay for childbirth, and postpartum-on the maintenance of exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life. This is an observational study nested within the "Maternal and Infant Health and Mortality in Guarujá" cohort, in which associations between maternal counseling and key outcomes will be analyzed, including breastfeeding initiation within the first hour of life, the total duration of exclusive breastfeeding, and its prevalence at three and six months of age. Poisson regression models will be used to estimate the association between counseling and outcomes, adjusting for potential confounding variables such as maternal education and age, wealth index, prematurity, type of delivery, and pacifier use. Additionally, the cumulative effect of counseling at different moments will be assessed to identify which interventions are most effective in promoting exclusive breastfeeding. The findings of this study may contribute to the improvement of public policies and maternal and child healthcare strategies by providing evidence on the most opportune moments for educational interventions that support breastfeeding.