A complex intervention to support breastfeeding: A feasibility and acceptability study

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:sec><jats:title>Aims</jats:title><jats:p>The aims of this study are to assess the acceptability and feasibility of a multicomponent intervention to support breastfeeding women and their families and explore its effectiveness.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Methods</jats:title><jats:p>A pilot study with control and intervention groups was conducted using the complex intervention framework in two primary healthcare centres. Overall, 44 childbearing women, their partners/relatives and 20 healthcare professionals participated in the study. The intervention's feasibility and acceptability were measured. The percentage of exclusive breastfeeding rates and women's self‐efficacy were measured at pre‐intervention, at 10 days postpartum, and again at 2, 4 and 6 months postpartum. Postpartum depression risk was measured at 2 and 6 months postpartum. Professional self‐efficacy was measured at pre‐intervention and 3 months later.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Results</jats:title><jats:p>The intervention was feasible and acceptable. No difference in self‐efficacy existed between the intervention and control groups. Preliminary effects of the intervention were found in exclusive breastfeeding percentage and postpartum depression risk in the intervention group.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Conclusion</jats:title><jats:p>The intervention is feasible and acceptable. The results are promising not only for breastfeeding maintenance but also for preventing postpartum depression and recovering exclusive breastfeeding during pandemics.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Trial registration</jats:title><jats:p><jats:ext-link xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="http://ClinicalTrials.gov">ClinicalTrials.gov</jats:ext-link> ID: NCT03944642.</jats:p></jats:sec>