The effectiveness of lactation practitioners on breastfeeding outcomes: A qusai-experimental study in Jordan

Breastfeeding is essential for both child and maternal health, with guidelines urging initiation within the first hour and exclusive breastfeeding for six months. Education and support from lactation practitioners are key to achieving these goals. LPs provide dedicated, personalised breastfeeding care and guidance beyond routine midwifery support, focusing on latch and milk supply issues and improving breastfeeding rates, duration, and outcomes. Despite global recommendations, most newborns miss early breastfeeding, and only 48 % of infants under six months are exclusively breastfed. Therefore, this project will assess the impact of lactation consultations on breastfeeding initiation and continuation rates in Jordan and their effects on maternal and infant health. A quasi-experimental study in Jordan examined the impact of lactation practitioners (LPs) on mothers' breastfeeding behaviours over six months by comparing outcomes in hospitals with and without LPs. Data were gathered through interviews and medical records shortly after birth, with follow-ups at six weeks and six months postpartum. The study involved 213 mothers, with 34.3 % aged 26–30 years. 64.5 % of the mothers had caesarean deliveries. Among those exposed to LPs, 13.2 % initiated breastfeeding within the first hour, versus 0 % in the control group., and 32.4 % within 1–4 h. EBF rates were 77.2 % at six weeks, declining to 55.7 % at six months. LP exposure was significantly associated with increased skin-to-skin contact (B = 0.889), more frequent infant rooming-in (5 times higher), and longer breastfeeding duration (p < 0.01). Hospitals with lactation practitioners showed significantly better outcomes in skin-to-skin contact, rooming-in, breastfeeding counselling, and exclusive breastfeeding continuation. The presence of LPs notably improved breastfeeding rates at six weeks postpartum. LP exposure positively influenced breastfeeding outcomes. • Despite its importance, 2 of 3 babies miss breastfeeding in the first hour, and only 48% under six months are exclusive. • LPs promote exclusive breastfeeding via counselling, but evidence on their impact on initiation, continuation, and child–maternal health is limited. • Hospitals with LPs showed more baby-friendly practices—skin-to-skin, rooming-in, early breastfeeding—boosting exclusive breastfeeding.