Maternal employment has been described as a barrier to breastfeeding in many countries. In Japan, many mothers quit breastfeeding after returning to work because they do not know how to continue breastfeeding. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a breastfeeding support program for mothers. The secondary objective was to explore the effectiveness of a pamphlet for mothers returning to work. This was a quasi-experimental design study with a program group (n = 48), pamphlet group (n = 46) and comparison group (n = 47) that took place from February 2017 to August 2018. Participants in the program and pamphlet groups were women who planned to return to work within 4–12 months after giving birth, while the comparison group included women who had been back at work for at least 3 months. The program involved a 90-min breastfeeding class, a pamphlet, a newsletter, and email consultation. The pamphlet group was sent only the pamphlet, while the comparison group received no intervention. The outcome was breastfeeding continuation rate at 3 months after returning to work. The breastfeeding continuation rate 3 months after returning to work was significantly higher in the program group than in the comparison group (79.2% vs. 51.1%, p = 0.004). After adjusting for background factors, the program intervention had an effect on breastfeeding rates (adjusted odds ratio = 4.68, 95% confidence interval: 1.57, 13.96; p = 0.006). However, comparing the pamphlet and comparison groups revealed no significant differences in breastfeeding continuation rates at 3 months after returning to work (69.6% vs. 51.1%, p = 0.07). Program intervention was associated with a significant increase in breastfeeding continuation rates 3 months after returning to work. Randomized controlled trials are needed to make this program applicable in practice. Pamphlet intervention resulted in no significant difference. Further study is necessary after examining the contents of the pamphlet.

中文翻译：

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日本重返工作岗位的母亲母乳喂养计划的有效性：一项准实验研究

在许多国家，孕产妇就业被描述为母乳喂养的障碍。在日本，很多妈妈回到工作岗位后就放弃了母乳喂养，因为她们不知道如何继续母乳喂养。本研究的主要目的是调查母亲母乳喂养支持计划的有效性。次要目标是探索一本小册子对重返工作岗位的母亲的有效性。这是一项准实验设计研究，包括 2017 年 2 月至 2018 年 8 月的计划组（n = 48）、小册子组（n = 46）和对照组（n = 47）。 计划和小册子组的参与者是计划在产后 4-12 个月内重返工作岗位的女性，而对照组则包括至少重返工作 3 个月的女性。该计划包括 90 分钟的母乳喂养课程、小册子、时事通讯和电子邮件咨询。小册子组只发送小册子，而对照组不接受干预。结果是重返工作岗位后 3 个月的母乳喂养继续率。计划组重返工作岗位后 3 个月的母乳喂养继续率显着高于对照组（79.2% vs. 51.1%，p = 0.004）。调整背景因素后，项目干预对母乳喂养率产生影响（调整后的优势比 = 4.68，95% 置信区间：1.57、13.96；p = 0.006）。然而，小册子和对照组的比较显示，重返工作岗位后 3 个月的母乳喂养继续率没有显着差异（69.6% 对 51.1%，p = 0.07）。计划干预与重返工作岗位 3 个月后母乳喂养继续率的显着增加有关。需要进行随机对照试验以使该计划适用于实践。小册子干预导致没有显着差异。在检查小册子的内容后需要进一步研究。