Translation to Spanish and validation of a scale for the observation of breastfeeding: The Bristol Breastfeeding Assessment Tool.

INTRODUCTION: The observation of a feeding by a professional is important to strengthen breastfeeding. The Bristol Breastfeeding Assessment Tool (BBAT) was translated into Spanish and validated.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Translation and back-translation of the original scale was done. Six pediatricians and six pediatric nurses collaborated. At the newborn's first visit, a feeding was observed and the pediatrician and nurse scored the BBAT scale independently. The nurse also scored the LATCH Breastfeeding Assessment (LATCH) and each mother filled out the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale (BSES-SF). Mothers were appointed a week later and the nurse re-scored the BBAT.

RESULTS: A total of 62 mothers participated. There was good internal consisitency for the BBAT (Cronbach's alpha = 0.83 in the assessment made by the nurses and Cronbach's alpha = 0.79 in the assessment made by the pediatricians). Inter-rater consistency showed an intra-class correlation coefficient of 0.91, while for the test-retest was 0.67. Concurrent validity with the BSES-SF scale was good and with the LATCH scale very good. The factor analysis showed the one-dimensional character of the scale and a good homogeneity of the 4 items (positioning = 0.771, attachment = 0.852, sucking = 0.856 and swallowing = 0.679).

CONCLUSIONS: The scale obtained in Spanish shows good reliability and validity. The BBAT is an easy-to-use tool that allows breastfeeding assessment and determines the aspects that need to be improved.