MedPath

Providing Postnatal Breastfeeding Support Through the Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program

Not Applicable
Terminated
Conditions
Infant Nutrition
Complementary Feeding
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding, Exclusive
Registration Number
NCT03589963
Lead Sponsor
University of Toronto
Brief Summary

The Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNP) aims to improve birth outcomes among Canadian women in challenging life circumstances, including those who are adolescents, newcomers, low-income or single mothers. The CPNP strongly promotes breastfeeding prenatally, resulting in high initiation rates, but continued postnatal support is needed to optimize breastfeeding duration and exclusivity.

The aim of this research is to investigate the effects of adding postnatal lactation support as an extension to the CPNP on breastfeeding duration and exclusivity in the first six months postpartum. The research will be conducted at two CPNP sites in Toronto, Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre and The Stop Community Food Centre. A quasi-experimental design will be used to compare the infant feeding practices of CPNP clients before and after introduction of a postnatal lactation support intervention which will include in-home professional lactation support and provision of high-quality breast pumps. These services will be delivered as CPNP program components and will be accessible to all clients at the two participating sites during the post-intervention period. Infant feeding practices will be assessed by a questionnaire administered at 2 weeks, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 months postpartum. The hypothesis is that significantly more mothers in the post-intervention group will be exclusively breastfeeding at four months postpartum. The effect is expected to be mediated through increased breastfeeding self-efficacy, which will be assessed using validated scales prenatally and at 2 weeks and 2 months postpartum.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
TERMINATED
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
151
Inclusion Criteria
  • CPNP clients registered prenatally
  • intention to initiate breastfeeding
  • intention to remain in Toronto with the infant for 6 months postpartum
  • willing to share contact information
  • birth at 34 weeks gestation or later
Exclusion Criteria
  • preterm birth (below 34 weeks)
  • infant has congenital abnormality or medical condition affecting feeding
  • mother or infant still in hospital at 2 weeks postpartum

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
SEQUENTIAL
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Exclusive breastfeeding at 4 months postpartumbirth to 4 months postpartum

Reported exclusive breastfeeding at four months postpartum assessed by a prospective infant feeding questionnaire

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Age of introduction of breastmilk substitutesbirth to 6 months postpartum

Reported timing of the introduction of breastmilk substitutes from birth to 6 months in response to a prospective infant feeding questionnaire

Age of introduction of complementary foodsbirth to 6 months postpartum

Reported timing of the introduction of complementary foods from birth to 6 months in response to a prospective infant feeding questionnaire

Duration of any breastfeeding in the first six months postpartumbirth to 6 months postpartum

Duration of any breastfeeding from birth to 6 months assessed by a prospective infant feeding questionnaire

Duration of exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months postpartumbirth to 6 months postpartum

Duration of exclusive breastfeeding from birth to 6 months assessed by a prospective infant feeding questionnaire

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre

🇨🇦

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

The Stop Community Food Centre

🇨🇦

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre
🇨🇦Toronto, Ontario, Canada

MedPath

Empowering clinical research with data-driven insights and AI-powered tools.

© 2025 MedPath, Inc. All rights reserved.