Support of breastfeeding through telephone counseling in Korea.

This study analyzed the problems of breastfeeding mothers who used a telephone consultant for advice. In one South Korean metropolitan area, 92 breastfeeding mothers received telephone consultation between August 24, 1994 and June 30, 1995. Mothers learned about the availability of the consultant from UNICEF, hospitals, and the general media. Problems were grouped into 11 categories (and 22 nursing diagnoses) the most common of which was breast milk insufficiency (22 cases). Fourteen mothers sought consultation about their infants' diarrhea or frequent stools. The findings in this study have practical implications for breastfeeding promotion and education in Korea.