Study on Prenatal and Postnatal Support to Improve Breastfeeding in Overweight Women Including Dietary and Breast Milk Expression Interventions

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating ways to improve breastfeeding outcomes for women with excessive weight. This study focuses on how hand expression of breast milk or colostrum during pregnancy and a dietary program postpartum can support breastfeeding success and affect breast milk composition and infant growth. The study addresses challenges faced by women with overweight or obesity, including delayed milk production and lower breastfeeding rates, aiming to find effective support strategies. Participants are randomly assigned to one of three groups standard lactation support, lactation support plus antenatal breast milk expression ABME education starting around 37 weeks of pregnancy, or lactation support plus a 5.5-month postpartum dietary program following the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The ABME group receives training on hand expression of colostrum during late pregnancy, while the dietary group receives prepared meals and guidance to follow a healthy eating plan postpartum. During the study, researchers will collect breast milk samples from birth to six months postpartum and track breastfeeding initiation, duration, and exclusivity. Participants will complete assessments on breastfeeding self-efficacy and experience monitoring for delayed milk production. The study will also analyze how maternal diet affects milk composition and infant development. The total participation period includes pregnancy and up to 24 months postpartum to gather comprehensive data on breastfeeding and infant outcomes.

Effect of Prenatal and Postnatal Intervention Strategies on Breastfeeding Outcomes in Women With Excessive Weight (Ready, Set, Nourish Study)