The researchers noted that the high levels of concerns reported in the first week postpartum might have been most strongly associated with adverse outcomes because the "day 3 and day 7 interviews captured a time when there is often a gap between hospital and community lactation support resources." The results "reinforce the recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatrics that all breastfed newborns receive an evaluation by a provider knowledgeable in lactation management within 2 to 3 days post discharge," the investigators said.
One limitation cited by the investigators is that the study’s generalizability might be limited by how similar breastfeeding norms and support rates are in other communities, compared with the study population.
The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Perinatal Institute of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Laurie A. Nommsen-Rivers, Ph.D., received a stipend for a lecture at the 2012 National WIC Association meeting. The other three authors reported no relevant financial disclosures.