Virtual Health Interventions to Improve Breastfeeding: A Systematic Review.
Heidi Sze Lok Fan, Daniel Yee Tak Fong, Kevin Wittenberg et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review evaluated the effectiveness of various virtual breastfeeding interventions on breastfeeding duration and exclusivity. Analyzing 58 randomized controlled trials, the review found that 51.6% of interventions effectively prolonged breastfeeding duration. Notably, combined in-person and virtual interventions yielded the most significant improvements.
Key findings
- 51.6% of virtual breastfeeding interventions effectively prolonged breastfeeding duration.
- Combined in-person and virtual interventions showed greater effects on breastfeeding duration and exclusivity.
- Various intervention types, including telephone support and videoconferencing, improved breastfeeding outcomes.
Why it matters
Understanding the effectiveness of virtual breastfeeding support is crucial for clinicians as it can enhance breastfeeding practices, ultimately benefiting maternal and infant health. As digital health technologies advance, integrating these interventions into clinical care can address diverse parental needs.
What to keep in mind
Generalizability is limited as most studies were conducted in high-income countries.