LATCH Score at Discharge: A Predictor of Weight Gain and Exclusive Breastfeeding at 6 Weeks in Term Healthy Babies

INTRODUCTION:World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for 6 months after birth. However, problems with the baby failing to latch properly are common in the postpartum period contributing to breastfeeding cessation. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:To evaluate the utility of LATCH Score to predict EBF and weight gain at 6 weeks postpartum along with an optimum LATCH Score cutoff. METHODS:This prospective cohort study was conducted in India. Ninety-three mother-infant dyads at term gestation were enrolled. Two LATCH score assessments were done by a lactation consultant; first within 24 hours of birth and 2 at discharge. Mothers with low LATCH Scores were counselled before discharge. EBF rate and weight gain velocity were analyzed at 6 weeks. RESULTS:LATCH Score ≥ 6 at discharge has the highest sensitivity (92.1%) and specificity (66.7%) for predicting EBF at 6 weeks postpartum (RR = 5.63; 95% CI, 4.32–12.65, P = 0.0003). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) of LATCH Score at discharge and EBF at 6 weeks had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.785 with a cutoff ≥ 5.5, showing the highest sensitivity of 93.6% with a false positive rate of 30.1%. LATCH Score > 6 at discharge was significantly associated with higher EBF rate (RR = 0.61; 95% CI, 0.39–0.94) and appropriate weight gain (≥ 20 grams/day) at 6 weeks of age (RR = 0.44; 95% CI, 0.25–0.75). After counselling, the LATCH score significantly improved at discharge in mothers (n = 62) with an initial score < 6 (p< 0.001). CONCLUSIONS:LATCH Score is a simple tool to identify mothers who require breastfeeding support and counselling before discharge from the hospital to prevent early breastfeeding cessation.