Cognitive Breastfeeding Counseling: A Single Session Helps Improve LATCH Score

Abstract

Antenatal counseling improves the rate of exclusive breastfeeding. But routine antenatal counseling may not be effective in achieving this. Cognitive behavioral therapy derived techniques may be more useful in improving breastfeeding outcomes. We did this study to test the effectiveness of a single session of cognitive counseling compared to routine counseling in the third trimester for improving LATCH score. Fifty mother–baby dyads were enrolled. Twenty-six mothers underwent cognitive counseling and 24 mothers underwent routine counseling. After birth, the LATCH scores were assessed within the first 24 hours in the newborn. A single session of cognitive breastfeeding counseling in the third trimester is effective in significantly improving the LATCH scores in the immediate newborn period.