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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Brian C. Castrucci, MA, Kathleen L. Hoover, M Ed, IBCLC, Suet Lim, PhD, and Katherine C. Maus, ACSW, LSW. Division of Maternal, Child and Family Health, Philadelphia Department of Public Health, 1101 Market Street, 9th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107, 609-828-3786, brian.castrucci@phila.gov

Objectives. Using population level data from a large, urban area, the first aim of this study is to provide estimates of hospital initiated breastfeeding among mothers whose infants required a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission by sociodemographic and delivery characteristics. The second aim is to assess at a population-level the association between having an international board certified lactation consultant (IBCLC) at a delivery facility and hospital initiated breastfeeding rates among women whose infants required a NICU admission. Methods. This study used a cross sectional design. Birth certificates were used as the data source. The sample included 1,249 records of infants who required a NICU admission prior to discharge after delivery. The Pennsylvania birth record included the question, “Is the infant being breastfed at discharge?” Information on number of hours worked annually by IBCLCs by hospital was provided by the Philadelphia Department of Public Health's lactation consult. Results. Among infants admitted to the NICU, hospital initiated breastfeeding rates did not reach 40% among mothers who were Black, Hispanic, unmarried women, had a high school diploma or less, or had Medicaid. Women who delivered infants who required a NICU admission were 2.47 (1.31,4.69) times more likely to initiate breastfeeding in the hospital when an IBCLC was employed at the delivery site. Conclusions. The findings presented here demonstrate the impact of IBCLCs on hospital-initiated breastfeeding among mothers whose infants required an NICU admission. As this impact is not negligible, these findings should be used to encourage widespread use of IBCLCs.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• List the factors associated with breastfeeding among infants admitted to neonatal intensive care units.
• Articulate the benefits of having a lactation consultant at a systems-level on the odds of breastfeeding at hospital discharge.

Keywords: Breast Feeding, Policy/Policy Development

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

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