261004 It's Breast Practice: Promoting Breastfeeding through Well Timed Collaboration

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Jessica Sember, BSN RN CLC CLSS CCE , Lactation Department 29-10, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA
April Clemens, RN IBCLC , Lactation Department 29-10, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA
Amy Lessin-Diehl, BS RN IBCLC , Lactation Department 29-10, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA
Shawna Mensinger, BS RN IBCLC , Lactation Department 29-10, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA
Ronna Aucker, RN CLC , Lactation Department 29-10, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA
Heather McHenry, RN CLC , Lactation Department 29-10, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA
Breastfeeding is looked at as the gold standard for newborn feeding method; the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the infant's first 6 months of life. Breastfed infants are known to be healthier and are less likely to become obese during early childhood. Yet, at a large tertiary medical center, only 56% of mothers choose to breastfeed their newborns. Postpartum mothers were surveyed at hospitalization for childbirth to identify potential interventions to promote breastfeeding and the best timing for providing support.

Data was collected from 74 mothers who delivered at this institution during a 1 month period. Two themes resonated across the sample: infant feeding methods were decided before pregnancy and information about breastfeeding was desired early in pregnancy. Interestingly the majority of women were not provided education about breastfeeding by a nurse or physician.

These findings indicate that our proposed plan, to promote breastfeeding at the 28 week prenatal visit, should become part of the initial prenatal visit. We also recognize our need to collaborate with the obstetrical and pediatric teams so that consistent messages are delivered. While we continue to strive to be certified as a baby friendly hospital the informal messages that are delivered to mothers about infant nutrition maybe as strong as our formal policies.

Learning Areas:
Other professions or practice related to public health
Public health or related nursing

Learning Objectives:
Learners will be able to identify the most effective time during pregnancy to present information about breastfeeding. Learner can identify at least 3 health care professionals with opportunities to provide expectant mothers with breastfeeding education.

Keywords: Breast Feeding, Infant Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been a CLC for 1.5 years. I have been a nurse working with pregnant and postpartum women for 5 years.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.