Researchers conducted a large study involving 2,475 first-time mothers in the UK between January 2022 and April 2024. These women were between 20 and 35 weeks pregnant when they joined the trial. They were randomly assigned to receive either a new peer support program called ABA-feed or their usual breastfeeding support from healthcare providers.
The main goal was to see if the new program helped more women breastfeed at eight weeks after birth. The results showed that 69.8% of women in the new support group were still breastfeeding, compared to 68.8% in the usual care group. This small difference was not considered statistically significant, meaning the study did not find a real benefit for the new intervention regarding breastfeeding duration.
While both groups started breastfeeding at high rates, the new program did not lead to better outcomes for formula feeding or maternal anxiety. The study was not blinded, which is a limitation that could influence results. Readers should understand that this specific intervention did not improve breastfeeding rates in this UK context, and more research may be needed to find effective ways to support breastfeeding.