Jeanette H. Magnus Magnus, MD, PhD¹, Meshawn Tarver, MPH¹, Stephanie Lange, MD, MPH², Michele Peterson, MPH (Candidate)³, Leigh Ann DeMonredon, APRN, MSN¹, and Ashley C. Chin, MPH, MA³. (1) Tulane and Xavier University of Louisiana’s Center of Excellence in Women’s Health, 127 Elk Place, EP7, New Orleans, LA 70112, 504-587-2181, jmagnus@tulane.edu, (2) Tulane University School of Medicine, 1415 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70112, (3) Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, 1440 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70112

Research has shown that health care providers can significantly influence infant feeding decisions. It has been confirmed that women who discuss breastfeeding with their prenatal care provider are more likely to breastfeed. Most health care providers----whether obstetricians, pediatricians or family medicine physicians, recognize the importance and value of breastfeeding but feel ill prepared to counsel and clinically manage the breastfeeding mother. Often there is disagreement regarding who should provide breastfeeding education - the prenatal or the antenatal provider. It is known that women often make their decision concerning infant feeding in the first trimester of pregnancy, or even before the pregnancy. Breastfeeding education early in the prenatal period would assist the mother in making an informed decision. Additionally, breastfeeding support, including that of the health care provider, encourages breastfeeding longevity. Thus, both the prenatal and antenatal provider can contribute to a successful breastfeeding experience for their patients. Improving breastfeeding management skills would be extremely beneficial to the breastfeeding mother and child. Currently there is no formal breastfeeding education in most medical and public health curriculum. In addition, breastfeeding education appears to be time consuming and providers are unable to gain compensation for this service. Tulane Xavier National Center of Excellence in Women’s Health (TUXCOE) has developed two workshops, one targeting medical school students and residents and the other public health students and health educators.

Learning Objectives:

• 1. Develop and implement breastfeeding education workshops for medical students
• 2. Develop and implement breastfeeding education workshops for public health students and health educators.

Keywords: Breastfeeding, Public Health Curriculum

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.