Factors and interventions that positively influence breastfeeding rates at six months postpartum: an integrative literature review

Background: Despite the health benefits of breastmilk, many women discontinue breastfeeding prior to six months postpartum. Previous work from 2010 has identified women's breastfeeding intention, self-efficacy, and support as the main modifiable factors that influence breastfeeding at six months postpartum. However, due to societal changes during the past decade, factors influencing women's decision to continue breastfeeding requires further exploration. Aim: To determine “what modifiable contemporary factors and interventions can positively influence women's decision to continue breastfeeding until six months postpartum?” Method: An integrative literature review was conducted based on Whittemore and Knafl's framework. Databases were searched using combinations of the following main key words: breastfeeding, duration, factors, and interventions. Studies addressing the research question and published in English language since 2010 were included. Interventional studies were limited to only randomised controlled trials. Results: Women's positive breastfeeding intention, self-efficacy, and support remained the key modifiable factors that could increase breastfeeding rates up to six months postpartum. The main effective interventions included education support or counselling when they targeted women's needs, intention, self-efficacy and support; and were held over multiple sessions commencing antenatally or immediately after birth. Contemporary effective strategies included digital communications such as phone calls, virtual meetings and messaging via social media including FacebookTM, WhatsAppTM and TelegramTM. Main conceptual frameworks were motivational interviewing, planned behaviour theory and cognitive behavioural therapy. Conclusion: Interventions that support breastfeeding up to six months should include contemporary strategies that target the main modifiable factors and are tailored based to women's needs and their sociocultural influences.