Primary Care Behavioral Counseling Interventions to Support Breastfeeding: US Preventive Services Task Force...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Preventive Medicine
• Maternal and Child Health

Background:

• Breastfeeding provides established health benefits for both children and mothers.
• Current breastfeeding rates in the US remain modest, with only 59.8% of infants breastfed at 6 months and 27.2% exclusively breastfed.
• Low breastfeeding rates highlight a need for effective support interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the evidence on the benefits and harms of primary care behavioral counseling interventions aimed at supporting breastfeeding.
• To inform recommendations for clinical practice regarding breastfeeding support.

Main Methods:

• A systematic review was commissioned by the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF).
• The review evaluated evidence concerning behavioral counseling interventions in primary care settings.
• The focus population included pregnant or postpartum adolescents and adults, and their infants and children.

Main Results:

• Primary care behavioral counseling interventions to support breastfeeding demonstrate a moderate net benefit.
• These interventions are associated with positive health outcomes for mothers and infants.
• The evidence suggests a favorable balance of benefits over harms.

Conclusions:

• The USPSTF recommends providing interventions or referrals to support breastfeeding.
• These recommendations apply during pregnancy and after birth.
• The evidence supports a "B" recommendation, indicating a high certainty that the net benefit is moderate to substantial.