The Effect of Postpartum Home Visit on Infant's Feeding Pattern

Background and This quasi – experimental study was conducted to determine the effects of a structured postpartum home visit program on infant's feeding pattern, up to completed 2nd month of life, in Tehran city, 1376 (1997). 110 healthy, primiparous mothers are referred to 2 state hospitals in Tehran who delivered a term and healthy neonates were selected. The pairs of mother – infants were sequentially assigned to the intervention and control groups, as the mothers in two groups were similar in maternal age and education, having parental care and infant's sex. Mothers in two groups were assessed about their infant's feeding pattern and weight, and post partum home visit program was performed for 55 pairs of them at 3rd, 10th and 60th days post partum. In each visit for home visit group a program of mother and infant health assessments, health educations and counseling, and if it was needed refer of mother or infant to medical centers were done. Two groups were statistically similar in father's education, socio – economic status, infant's birth weight and birth rank and receiving education about breastfeeding previously. At the end of 2nd month post partum, breast feeding rate in home visit group was significantly higher than control group (47.5% versus 41.8%, p=.003). The rate of the use of fluids and complementary foods was higher in control group. Difference between infant's feeding pattern in two groups was significant (p=.003). The rate of breast feeding in night and on demand feeding was also increased in intervention group. At completed 2nd month, infant's of home visit group have higher weight (p=.0004). The findings indicate effectiveness of post partum home visit program on infant's feed in practices and weight. Considering the importance of continues post partum oriented approach in health system delivery, it is suggested that post partum home visits be applied to improve the health status of mothers and infants, and to increase the rate of the best nutrition for infants exclusive breast feeding.