Latch On Study: Reduced breastfeeding among mothers with overweight or obesity can be significantly increased

Posted 14 February, 2024 Breastfeeding rates amongst women with overweight or obesity can be increased by providing education and support, according to new research. Irish breastfeeding rates are amongst the lowest worldwide, with only 44% of Irish newborns receive breastmilk only on discharge from maternity services, and some groups of women appear more vulnerable than others to not breastfeeding. These include those with diabetes in pregnancy, women with overweight or obesity, and women from poorer backgrounds. A new study published in British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology addressing the barriers to breastfeeding experienced by these women has found that through education and support intervention, breastfeeding rates in women with overweight or obesity can be significantly increased. The Latch On Study was a randomised controlled trial carried out by the UCD Perinatal Research Centre at the National Maternity Hospital and three other Irish hospitals, Wexford General Hospital, St Luke's General Hospital, Kilkenny and Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar. It was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a multicomponent breastfeeding education and support intervention in women with overweight or obesity, and enrolled 225 first time mothers with a BMI of 25 or higher. These women were randomly assigned to either the multicomponent intervention group, or a control group that received the normal lactation support provided to all women attending the maternity hospitals for the birth of their babies.