The Effect of Maternal Telephone Monitoring on the Duration of Breastfeeding in Preterm Infants during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: Premature infants usually don't have optimal breastfeeding. Given the insufficient awareness and lack of support of mothers can lead to the discontinuation of breastfeeding. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of telephone monitoring of mothers throughout the breastfeeding period in preterm infants. Methods: In this quality improvement study,74 mothers with premature infants hospitalized at the NICU, one of the teaching hospitals of Babol University of Medical Sciences in 2020 and their infants were included using random blocking method and divided into intervention and control groups. Breastfeeding Continuation training program after discharge for the intervention group was implemented via smartphone and WhatsApp messenger program during weekly calls for 3 months addressing the problems and challenges faced by breastfeeding mothers. Control group received the usual training at the wards. Data were collected via questionnaire including demographic characteristics of parents and infants, feeding method used and records of infant weight (once a month for 3 months after discharge). Data were analyzed using the Chi-square, T-test, and analysis covariance. Findings: Our findings showed that the rate of breastfeeding in intervention group increased from 27% at time of discharge to 86% at third month, while in control group breastfeeding decreased from 24% at time discharge to 19% at third month. This difference was significant. The mean weight of infant in first and second month in intervention group were 3294.59 ± 574.17, 4577.02 ± 680.23 and control group 3067.56 ± 378.08, 4283.78 ± 508.68, respectively, which was statistically significant. However, this rate was 5856.75 ± 720.83 and 5663.51 ± 645.13 in intervention and control groups in third month respectively. There was no overall significant difference. Conclusion: Continuing breastfeeding training after discharge using smartphone messaging app can influence success in continuation of breastfeeding by mothers and infant weight gain.