Randomized controlled trial to determine effects of prenatal breastfeeding workshop on maternal breastfeeding self-efficacy and breastfeeding duration

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of a prenatal breastfeeding workshop on maternal breastfeeding self-efficacy and breastfeeding duration. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Large tertiary hospital in Ontario, Canada. PARTICIPANTS: 110 primiparous women expecting a single child, an uncomplicated birth, and planning to breastfeed. Intervention: 2.5-hour prenatal breastfeeding workshop based on adult learning principles and self-efficacy theory. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Maternal breastfeeding self-efficacy and the numbers of days and amount of breastfeeding were measured at four and eight weeks postpartum. RESULTS/DATA ANALYSIS: Over time, maternal breastfeeding self-efficacy scores increased in both groups. Women who attended the workshop had higher self-efficacy scores and a higher proportion were exclusively breastfeeding compared to women who did not attend the workshop. There was little difference in the average number of days of breastfeeding, but the intervention group had less weaning. CONCLUSIONS: The workshop increased maternal breastfeeding self-efficacy and exclusive breastfeeding.