Parental experiences and breastfeeding outcomes of early support to new parents from family health care centres—a mixed method study

Abstract

Abstract Background Early parenthood is a sensitive period for parents. Parents may feel uncertain about their new roles and unsure about where to find trusted information and support. The aim of this study was to explore the association between breastfeeding and early home visits and a proactive telephone support intervention and to describe parental experiences. Method This study was conducted as a mixed method study with a convergent design using qualitative data from the written comments of parents, and the quantitative data consisted of demographics, breastfeeding, and Likert questions about parents’ satisfaction with the early home visit and telephone support. Historic control (2017–2018) and intervention (2019–2020) data were collected from one family health care centre, and control (2019–2020) data were collected from another family health care centre. Results In total, 838 infants, 42 mothers and 38 fathers contributed to the data in the study. The intervention group had a statistically significantly earlier home visit than the control groups. Early home visits and proactive telephone support to parents with newborn infants were not associated with breastfeeding outcomes up to six months after birth, but we could not exclude the possibility that this was a consequence of our observational study design. However, the early home visit was appreciated by the parents where they received both practical and emotional support. Conclusions Although the intervention was not associated with breastfeeding, the parents appreciated the service. This shows the importance of continuing to investigate how and which support parents of newborn infants need and the effects of such support, including interventions to provide optimal support to facilitate continued breastfeeding.