Impact of a Lactation Consultant Support Program on Breastfeeding Rates, Infant Growth, and Morbidity: A…

Randomized trialThe Journal of perinatal & neonatal nursing· Jul 2026

Impact of a Lactation Consultant Support Program on Breastfeeding Rates, Infant Growth, and Morbidity: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Mireia Pascual-Tutusaus, Margarita Manresa, Federico Migliorelli … Josefina Goberna-Tricas

Pediatric Gastroenterology & NutritionRandomized trialClinical practiceQ3IF 0.9

International Board Certified Lactation Consultant-led breastfeeding support program raised exclusive breastfeeding at discharge in preterm infants

Impact of a Lactation Consultant Support Program on Breastfeeding Rates, Infant Growth, and Morbidity: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Mireia Pascual-Tutusaus … Josefina Goberna-Tricas

The Journal of perinatal & neonatal nursing · Jul 2026 · Q3 in Pediatrics

Background

Breastfeeding is a key preventive strategy for preterm infants.

Purpose

This study evaluates the effectiveness of a Breastfeeding Support and Promotion Program (PAP-LM), led by an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant), on exclusive breastfeeding (exclusive breastfeeding) rates, morbidity, and hospital readmissions in preterm infants.

Methods

In this parallel-group randomized clinical trial, 162 preterm infants (32 + 0 to 36 + 6 gestation weeks) were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either the PAP-LM intervention or standard care.

n = 162 preterm infants

Results

nearly all preterm infants exclusively breastfed vs about 1 in 5 with standard care

98.8%

Intervention (discharg

21.2%

Control (discharge)

More results

First-year morbidity was significantly lower in the intervention group compared with the control group (32.1% vs 66.2%; P < 0.001), particularly for bronchitis and bronchiolitis.

“

Conclusion · 1 of 3

A structured International Board Certified Lactation Consultant-led support program, initiated in the neonatal unit and continued through 6 months of home-based follow-up, promotes sustained exclusive breastfeeding and reduces neonatal morbidity and hospital readmissions.

Conclusion · 2 of 3

IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH AND PRACTICE: The results support the implementation of structured breastfeeding support programs within public health policies targeting high-risk newborns and encourage the expansion of International Board Certified Lactation Consultant-led services to additional neonatal units.

Conclusion · 3 of 3

Trial registration: gov, NCT06653595.

Impact of a Lactation Consultant Support Program on Breastfeeding Rates, Infant Growth, and Morbidity: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Impact of a Lactation Consultant Support Program on Breastfeeding Rates, Infant Growth, and Morbidity: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

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