Effect of Baby-Led Self-Attachment Breastfeeding Technique in the Postpartum Period on Breastfeeding Rates: A Randomized Study.

To evaluate the effects of a baby-led self-attachment breastfeeding support intervention on the prevalence and duration of exclusive breastfeeding and nipple pain at 3 days, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months postpartum among Chinese mothers. A randomized study was conducted with 504 mother-infant dyads allocated to the baby-led self-attachment breastfeeding support intervention ( = 251) and standard postpartum care ( = 253). Data on the prevalence and duration of exclusive breastfeeding and nipple pain were collected at 3 days, 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months postpartum. Mothers in the intervention group were significantly more likely exclusively breastfeeding at 3 days (mean difference = 12.1%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.9-20.2%,  = 0.004) and 6 months postpartum (mean difference = 17.8%, 95% CI: 8.3-27.4%,  < 0.001). They were less likely to stop breastfeeding over the 6-month period, compared with the control group (Hazard ratio = 0.65; 95% CI: 0.49-0.87). They were also less likely to experience nipple pain at 3 days (mean difference = -8.1%, 95% CI: -15.9 to -0.4%,  = 0.04) and 3 months postpartum (mean difference = -4.9%, 95% CI: -8.7 to -1.2%,  = 0.01). The baby-led self-attachment breastfeeding support is clinically effective in increasing the prevalence and duration of exclusive breastfeeding and reducing nipple pain among Chinese mothers.