Application of a Mobile App-Based Breastfeeding Support Platform to Improve Six-Month Exclusive Breastfeeding Rates among First-Time Mothers: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Despite the well-documented benefits of exclusive breastfeeding, rates remain suboptimal globally. Mobile health technologies offer promising opportunities to provide continuous, personalized breastfeeding support. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a mobile application-based breastfeeding support platform in improving six-month exclusive breastfeeding rates among first-time mothers in China. The method applied in this paper is a randomized controlled trial conducted from August 2023 to February 2025 at a tertiary hospital in Chongqing, China. First-time mothers (n=486) were randomly allocated to either the intervention group (n=243) receiving standard care plus access to a comprehensive mobile breastfeeding support app, or the control group (n=243) receiving standard care alone. The app provided personalized education, real-time consultation, and continuous case management from pregnancy through six months postpartum. The primary outcome was the exclusive breastfeeding rate at six months. Of 460 participants completing the study, the six-month exclusive breastfeeding rate was significantly higher in the intervention group (51.29% vs. 30.70%, p<0.001). The intervention group also demonstrated better breastfeeding knowledge scores, lower rates of lactation-related complications, and higher nursing service satisfaction. The mobile app-based breastfeeding support platform effectively improved exclusive breastfeeding rates and maternal outcomes through continuous, personalized support, offering a scalable solution for enhancing breastfeeding support in the digital age.