Study Finds Link Between Infant Carriers and Breastfeeding, Human Milk Consumption

A study found increased rates of nursing and human milk feeding at six months postpartum among parents who used infant carriers. The study, “An Infant Carrier Intervention and Breastfeeding Duration: A Randomized Controlled Trial,” which will be published in the July 2021 issue of Pediatrics (published online June 30), looked at 50 parents who were randomly assigned to receive an ergonomic infant carrier and instruction on its proper use to promote increased physical contact with infants (the intervention group) and 50 parents who were assigned to a waitlist control group. Feeding outcomes were assessed with online surveys at six weeks, three months, and six months postpartum. Parents in the intervention group were more likely to have babies nursing or drinking expressed human milk at six months (68%) than control group parents (40%). No significant differences were detected in feeding outcomes at six weeks or three months. Large-scale studies are warranted to further examine the efficacy and cost effectiveness of providing carriers as a possible way to increase access to human milk, the authors conclude. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants be exclusively fed human milk for about the first six months of life, with continued breastfeeding as complementary foods are introduced, for 1 year or longer, as mutually desired by mother and infant.

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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.