Effect of telephone follow-up on postdelivery breastfeeding and maternal attachment

Context: Encouraging breastfeeding is a public health priority. However, no study is available from Iran on the effect of telephone follow-up on postpartum maternal attachment to the newborn.

Aims: To assess the impact of postpartum telephone follow-up on breastfeeding and maternal attachment.

Setting and Design: A clinical trial was conducted on 120 mothers who had a delivery at Alborz Hospital of Karaj during the spring of 2014.

Material and Methods: Mothers were randomly assigned into three groups of 40. The groups one and three received breastfeeding training (BFT) and the groups one and two received telephone follow-up. Data were collected using a questionnaire. All groups had a pretest and a posttest on their knowledge, attitude, and performance toward breastfeeding. Mothers’ attachment to their newborn was assessed at the end of the study.

Statistical Analysis Used: Analysis of variance, Tukey, and Paired t tests were used for data analysis.

Results: The BFT plus telephone follow-up could increase the mothers’ scores in breastfeeding. However, telephone follow-up could not affect the maternal attachment scores. The mean attachment score was significantly higher in mothers with a planned pregnancy (P < 0.001), higher financial income (P < 0.01), and a girl baby (P < 0.014).

Conclusions: This study confirmed the beneficial effect of BFT and telephone follow-up on mothers’ knowledge, attitude, and performance toward breastfeeding. Therefore, integration of BFT and telephone follow-up in postpartum care programs are suggested.