2010 - International Lactation Consultant Association

in the intervention group vs. controls (143.8±101.6 vs. 39.8±37.1, p=0.001, respectively).
These preliminary findings suggest that specialized breastfeeding peer counselor provided at a
high intensity level during the first week postpartum improved breastfeeding technique by day 7
postpartum.
EVALUATION OF A BREASTFEEDING ASSESSMENT SCORE IN A DIVERSE POPULATION
Anne Mercer, RN, MSN, IBCLC; Susan L Teasley; Robert T Hall; Judy Hopkinson;
Deanna McPherson; Stephen D. Simon
Children's Mercy Hospital & Clinics
2401 Gillham Rd
Kansas City, Mo 64108
816-234-1612; amercer@cmh.edu
ABSTRACT
Background: Our previous study performed in suburban populations developed a breastfeeding
assessment score (BAS) that was designed to predict, prior to initial hospital discharge, those
mothers who would discontinue breastfeeding within the first ten days of age.
Goal: To assess the BAS in a more diverse population.
Methods: Patients were recruited from three urban hospitals serving patients primarily supported
by public funding.
Results: The current study with 1182 mother-infant pairs confirmed that the five variables
scored on a 0-2 scale (maternal age, previous breastfeeding experience, latching difficulty,
breastfeeding interval, number of bottles) remained highly significant, p=0.000, for predicting
discontinuation of breastfeeding in spite of significant inter-hospital differences in the variable
outcomes. The mean BAS was lower (5.6 vs 7.8) and the cessation rates were higher (15% vs
11%) in the current study than the original study. The BAS was demonstrated in both
populations to identify those at risk of early breastfeeding cessation in an inverse relationship to
the score.
Conclusions: Data from the current study in a racially and socioeconomically diverse population
validate those findings in the original study which evalusted a primarily suburban, white, middle
class population. These observations confirm the use of the five variables to predict early
breastfeeding cessation. Those at an early risk of cessation of breastfeeding , identified by the
BAS, may benefit from early identification and a lactation consultation. Special consideration
should be given to patients with a BAS