Influence of counseling sessions on the prevalence of breastfeeding in the first year of life: a randomized clinical trial with adolescent mothers and grandmothers

Abstract

Background: Adolescent mothers living with their mothers may be at greater risk of early weaning. This study aims to assess the influence of a breastfeeding promotion strategy directed at adolescent mothers living with their mothers on the prevalence of breastfeeding in the first year of life.

Method: A randomized clinical trial with 323 adolescent mothers. Participants were divided into two groups: those who lived with their mothers and those who did not. Participants were randomly assigned to control or intervention groups. Intervention consisted of breastfeeding counseling sessions held at the maternity ward and at home (at 7, 15, 30, 60, and 120 days postpartum). The intervention effect was assessed by comparing survival curves for breastfeeding in the first 12 months of life.

Results: The risk of weaning before 12 months of age was significantly lower in the intervention group for adolescent mothers not living with their mothers; whereas the risk was not statistically different between intervention and control groups for those living with their mothers.

Conclusions: The positive influence of systematic counseling sessions on the prevalence of breastfeeding in the first year of life was significant for adolescent mothers. Living with their mothers reduced such influence.

Keywords: adolescent behavior; breastfeeding; child health; childcare; family relations.