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By CAFMI AI From Journal of Primary Care & Community Health (Open Access)
Exclusive breastfeeding is a critical component of infant and maternal health, offering numerous physiological and psychological benefits. However, working mothers often face significant challenges in maintaining exclusive breastfeeding due to competing demands of workplace responsibilities and infant care. A recent randomized controlled trial aimed to investigate whether motivational interviewing (MI), a counseling technique designed to enhance motivation and resolve ambivalence, could effectively increase the rates of exclusive breastfeeding among this population. The study enrolled working mothers who intended to breastfeed exclusively and randomly assigned them to receive either MI-based counseling sessions or routine postnatal care without specialized counseling. Data collected over a defined postpartum period revealed that mothers who underwent motivational interviewing sessions showed significantly higher rates of exclusive breastfeeding compared to those who received standard care. Importantly, this effect was attributed not only to increased knowledge but also to improved maternal motivation and confidence in balancing breastfeeding with returning to work. These findings highlight motivational interviewing as a promising intervention to address common barriers faced by working mothers, potentially offering a scalable solution within clinical settings.
For clinicians, especially those providing postnatal care in the United States, understanding interventions that effectively support breastfeeding among working mothers is vital. The study’s results suggest that incorporating motivational interviewing into routine postnatal follow-up could enhance exclusive breastfeeding rates, thereby improving health outcomes for both infants and mothers. MI’s role in facilitating behavioral change by targeting intrinsic motivation offers a patient-centered approach that resonates well with mothers juggling employment and child-rearing duties. From a practical standpoint, healthcare providers could be trained to deliver brief MI sessions, either individually or in small groups, as part of lactation counseling or postpartum visits. This approach aligns with existing guidelines advocating support for breastfeeding while recognizing the unique challenges faced by employed women. Furthermore, the increased confidence and motivation seen in intervention participants underline the potential for MI to reduce early breastfeeding cessation, a common issue with significant health and economic consequences. Incorporating MI into primary care workflows can thus support targeted counseling, early identification of breastfeeding difficulties, and enhanced follow-up mechanisms.
This study’s randomized controlled design provides robust evidence of the impact of motivational interviewing on exclusive breastfeeding rates among working mothers. By enrolling participants intending to breastfeed exclusively and randomly allocating them to intervention or control arms, the trial minimized bias and allowed clear attribution of outcomes to the MI intervention. Follow-up data collecting breastfeeding practices over a specified postpartum period ensured outcome relevance. However, certain limitations merit consideration. The study population’s demographics and workplace policies were not extensively detailed, which may influence generalizability to diverse healthcare settings or regions within the USA. Additionally, the postpartum period covered may not capture long-term breastfeeding patterns beyond the initial months. Clinicians should interpret results within the context of multifactorial influences on breastfeeding, including social support, workplace accommodations, and cultural attitudes. Incorporation of MI should complement broader efforts encompassing policy advocacy (e.g., maternity leave, lactation rooms), parental counseling, and community support. Future research might also explore the cost-effectiveness of MI interventions and adaptations for telehealth delivery, especially relevant in today’s evolving healthcare landscape. Ultimately, motivational interviewing represents a valuable tool to support working mothers aiming to sustain exclusive breastfeeding, fitting well within comprehensive clinical care strategies.
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