Study tests home breastfeeding support for malnourished infants

Kilifi County, Kenya – Researchers at the KEMRI-Wellcome Trust are investigating whether home-based breastfeeding support can enhance the growth and development of malnourished infants under six months of age after they leave the hospital. This IBAMI-2 study builds upon a previous IBAMI trial at Kilifi County Hospital, which demonstrated the feasibility of breastfeeding peer supporters helping mothers re-establish exclusive breastfeeding before infants were discharged.

The current study aims to determine if structured support at home can aid mothers in maintaining exclusive breastfeeding and improving outcomes for infants recovering from acute malnutrition. Under the new intervention, breastfeeding peer supporters will conduct three home visits and three follow-up phone calls over a seven-week period following the infant's discharge from the hospital.

The initial phase of the study involved 20 mother-infant pairs and proved the intervention to be feasible and acceptable to participating mothers. One participant shared that the peer supporters taught her how to express breast milk, which helped her baby gain weight steadily.

The primary outcome measure for this phase will be the infants' weight gain at six months, with follow-up assessments conducted up to 12 months to evaluate mortality, illness, and neurodevelopmental outcomes. The researchers hope the findings will inform future changes to World Health Organization and Kenyan guidelines on managing acute malnutrition among infants under six months of age.

As the world observes World Breastfeeding Week, the study emphasizes the critical role of continued support for mothers and vulnerable infants beyond the hospital setting.