Abstract
Purpose: This research was aimed to investigate the effect of postpartum breastfeeding support on breastfeeding rates. Methods: The participants of this study were 43 mothers who admitted to the delivery room of a university hospital which was selected as a Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) in Daegu. Data collection period was from September 17, 2008 to September 20, 2009. Twenty three mothers were assigned to the experimental group and 20 mothers, to the control group. During hospitalization, breastfeeding education was given to the both groups. But postpartum breastfeeding support by nurse's phone call to the experimental group was provided once a week for 4 weeks postpartum. Data regarding breastfeeding rates at postpartum 1, 2, 3, 4 weeks and 3 months were collected by phone call. Results: The breastfeeding rate of the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group at postpartum week 2, 3, 4 and 3 months. Conclusion: Postpartum breastfeeding support may be a useful intervention to increase breastfeeding rate and the first month is the most important time to establish breastfeeding.