Abstract: Objective: To explore the effectiveness of a full cycle breastfeeding management program for high-risk infants based on chain theory. Methods: A historical controlled study was conducted and high-risk infants who were treated in a tertiary grade A hospital were recruited. The high-risk infants from October 2021 to September 2022 were treated as the control group while the high-risk infants from October 2022 to September 2023 were treated as the interventional group. Infants in the control group received routine breastfeeding education and management, while infants in the interventional group received a full cycle breastfeeding management program based on the chain theory. The breastfeeding knowledge, self-efficacy, and quality of breastfeeding between the two groups of infants' mothers were compared between the two groups. The start time of breastfeeding, maintenance rate of breastfeeding, pure breastfeeding rate, and growth and development status of infants in the two groups were also compared. Results: The knowledge, self-efficacy, and quality of breastfeeding of mothers in the interventional group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). Infants in the interventional group showed significantly improved start time of breastfeeding, maintenance rate of breastfeeding (at discharge, 42 days after birth, 3 months old, and 6 months old), and pure breastfeeding rate than the control group (P<0.05). The height and weight of infants in the interventional group were significantly higher than those in the control group at 42 days of follow-up, 3 months, and 6 months (P<0.05). Conclusion: The full cycle breastfeeding management program for high-risk infants based on chain theory can effectively shorten the initial breastfeeding time of high-risk infants, improve the maintenance rate of breastfeeding and pure breastfeeding, and promote growth and development.

Key words: chain theory; high risk infants; breastfeeding; full cycle management; continue nursing care