PUMP (Providing the Underprivileged With Manual Pumps): A Randomized Controlled Trial

The primary objective of this study is to pilot an intervention of providing manual breast pumps at hospital discharge to low-income, first-time mothers and to generate initial estimates of the effect of this intervention on exclusive breastfeeding rates at 3 months (12 weeks). In this pilot study, we will compare receipt of a breast pump and brief instructions of its use to the active control of receipt of a children's book and brief instructions about reading with baby. As a secondary objective, we will investigate mothers' attitudes and opinions about the manual breast pump intervention with the goal of fine-tuning it to best fit mothers' needs before a larger, multi-center trial. To support our objectives, we will examine the following specific aims:

1. To test the intervention of providing low-income, first time mothers with a manual breast pump at hospital discharge on exclusive breastfeeding rates at 12 weeks.

Hypothesis: Among low-income first-time mothers, receipt of a manual breast pump at hospital discharge will lead to improved exclusive breastfeeding rates at 12 weeks postpartum compared to receipt of a children's book. 2. To use qualitative methods to determine best practices associated with successful implementation of a breast pump intervention to improve breastfeeding rates among low-income, first-time mothers. 3. To test the effect of receiving a children's board book during the birth hospitalization on parents reading to the baby at 3 months (12 weeks).