Effects of a mobile application on breastfeeding maintenance in the first 6 months after birth: Randomised controlled trial (COMLACT study)

Abstract

Problem: It is necessary to continue promoting breastfeeding rates. Background: Information and communication technologies have significantly impacted healthcare services and are transforming the sector. There is little evidence of the usefulness of mobile applications to support breastfeeding and increase its duration. Aim: To assess whether mobile application—LactApp® (Barcelona, Spain)—usage compared with standard care increases the 6-month postpartum breastfeeding rate. Methods: A multicentre, randomised, controlled clinical trial of parallel groups was conducted. The study was conducted in four public hospitals in Spain from January 2022 to January 2023. 270 Women were randomly assigned to each parallel group. The women in the intervention group received free access to the mobile application LactApp®, which provides personalised and convenient support to women about BF. Women in the control group received standard care, which included individual counselling about the benefits of maintaining BF for the first 6 months of the baby’s life. Findings: The rate of breastfeeding abandonment at 15 days was 6.4 % in the control group vs 0.0 % in the intervention group (p = 0.105). LactApp® usage did not increase the 6-month postpartum breastfeeding rate compared with standard care (CG = 41.6% vs. IG = 43.6 %; p = 0.826). Discussion: Further studies must explore how technologies can help improve long-term breastfeeding maintenance. The mobile app seems to reduce early weaning in the first 15 days slightly. Conclusion: Mobile application usage did not increase the breastfeeding rate compared with standard practice but may reduce breastfeeding abandonment in the first 2 weeks postpartum.