Remote guidance boosts exclusive breastfeeding rates for infants

A meta-analysis of 8,389 infants examined whether remote breastfeeding guidance by phone, text, or app could improve feeding practices. The study compared mothers receiving this guidance to a control group across developed and less developed regions. The analysis found that remote guidance significantly increased exclusive breastfeeding at 3 months and at 6 months. It also showed a modest increase in any breastfeeding at 3 months, but no significant effect at 6 months. Infant weight was significantly higher in the guidance groups at both time points. The benefits for exclusive breastfeeding were greater in less developed regions. No safety concerns were reported in the included trials. The main reason to be careful is that this is a meta-analysis, which combines many studies, and the results depend on the quality of those individual trials. Readers should understand that remote guidance appears to help more mothers exclusively breastfeed, but it is not a substitute for in-person care when needed.