Training Needs of Health Professionals Related to Infant Feeding and Associated Maternity Care Practices

Purpose: This presentation is intended to inform participants about training needs of maternity care professionals regarding clinical breastfeeding support.

Data & Methods: The Carolina Global Breastfeeding Institute conducted a survey of North Carolina's health care providers as part of baseline assessment for the Breastfeeding-Friendly Health care Project. Providers' knowledge, attitudes and practices in relation to breastfeeding basics and the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding. In addition, providers were asked to indicate their level of agreement regarding whether they (and their partners in care) need more training in core competencies of breastfeeding care. Finally, quantitative findings were further explored in key informant interviews, organized around the same principles as the e-survey.

Results: Nurses and doctor's providing maternity care in North Carolina have significant gaps in knowledge (need for training) regarding clinical indications for supplementation of mother's milk and maternity care practices that impact breastfeeding success in-hospital and beyond. Of note is the finding that many professionals have a theoretical awareness of “best practices” but are unaware of the underlying reasoning and the actions required to implement the practice. Key informant interviews revealed that nurses and doctors commonly displace responsibility for breastfeeding care to designated Lactation Professionals.

Recommendations: Public health professionals should advocate for inclusion of competency-based breastfeeding support in curricula for all health care providers. Continuing education programs should be adapted to more accurately meet providers' demonstrated and directly expressed needs for training. The presenter will share the “Train the Trainer” program being implemented in response to these findings.