Clinical Interventions to Promote Breastfeeding by Latinas: A Meta-analysis

Breastfeeding duration and exclusivity among Latinas fall below recommended levels, indicating a need for targeted interventions. The effectiveness of clinical breastfeeding interventions for Latinas remains unclear.

To systematically review the documented effectiveness of clinical breastfeeding interventions on any and exclusive breastfeeding among Latinas.

English-language publications in Medline, CINAHL, and Embase were searched through May 28, 2015.

Fourteen prospective, controlled studies describing 17 interventions met inclusion criteria.

Extracted study characteristics include study design, population characteristics, intervention components, timing and intensity of delivery, provider type, control procedures, and outcome measures.

Random-effects meta-analyses estimated risk differences (RDs) between breastfeeding mothers in intervention and control arms of each study and 95% prediction intervals (PIs) within which 95% of intervals cover the true value estimated by a future study. Interventions increased any breastfeeding at 1 to 3 and 4 to 6 months (RD 0.04 [95% PI -0.15 to 0.23] and 0.08 [-0.08 to 0.25], respectively) and exclusive breastfeeding at 1 to 3 and 4 to 6 months (0.04 [-0.09 to 0.18] and 0.01 [-0.01 to 0.02]). Funnel plot asymmetry suggested publication bias for initiation and 1- to 3-month any breastfeeding. Estimates were slightly larger among interventions with prenatal and postpartum components, 3 to 6 patient contacts, and delivery by an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant or lay provider.

The published evidence for Latinas is limited, and studies have varying methodologic rigor.

Breastfeeding interventions targeting Latinas increased any and exclusive breastfeeding compared with usual care.