USPSTF Recommends Providing Interventions to Support Breastfeeding
By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter
TUESDAY, Oct. 22, 2024 -- The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends providing or referring to interventions that support breastfeeding. This recommendation forms the basis of a draft recommendation statement published online Oct. 22.
Researchers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality in Rockville, Maryland, conducted a systematic review to aid the USPSTF in updating its 2016 recommendation on interventions to support breastfeeding. A total of 290 full-text articles were reviewed for inclusion; 90 randomized clinical trials assessing interventions to support breastfeeding that were initiated in, feasible for, or referable from a primary care setting were included. The researchers found mixed evidence on the effectiveness of breastfeeding support interventions on infant health outcomes, including gastrointestinal outcomes, otitis media, and the number of health care visits for respiratory tract illnesses. More favorable effects were seen in infants born in intervention versus control groups, but few differences were statistically significant. Most of the studies on maternal health outcomes reported better symptom scores among intervention versus control mothers, but differences were not statistically significant. Breastfeeding support interventions were associated with higher rates of any and exclusive breastfeeding at all time points (less than three months, three to less than six months, and six months).
Based on these findings, the USPSTF recommends providing or referring to interventions that support breastfeeding for pregnant and postpartum persons (B recommendation).
The draft evidence review and draft recommendation statement have been posted for public comment. Comments can be submitted from Oct. 22 to Nov. 18, 2024.
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted October 2024
Read this next
One in 60 Women Undergoing C-Section Experience Severe Perioperative Morbidity
TUESDAY, Sept. 2, 2025 -- Nearly one in 60 patients undergoing cesarean delivery experiences severe perioperative surgical morbidity, according to a study published online Aug. 21...
2010 to 2023 Saw Decline in Births, Increase in Deaths in the United States
FRIDAY, Aug. 29, 2025 -- From 2010 to 2023, the number of births in the United States declined, and the number of deaths increased, according to the Aug. 27 National Vital...
Many Women Have Preexisting Modifiable Risk Factors for Birth Defects
TUESDAY, Aug. 26, 2025 -- About two-thirds of reproductive-aged women in the United States have preexisting modifiable risk factors for birth defects, according to a study...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.