Innovative Programs
Does Breastfeeding Education of Nurses Increase Exclusive Breastfeeding Rates in a Large Academic Medical Institution?

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Newborn Care Poster Presentation

Purpose for the Program

To determine if increased breastfeeding education among 500 perinatal nursing staff using the Baby Friendly Health Initiative (BFHI) requirements is effective for increasing exclusive breastfeeding rates.

Proposed Change

A large academic women's medical center that delivers 12,500 infants per year entered into the Baby Friendly Health Initiative in January 2011 and initiated breastfeeding nursing education in April 2013. This hospital is the largest hospital to date to enter the Baby Friendly pathway. Before entering into the BFHI, there were very few nursing breastfeeding education opportunities offered.

Implementation, Outcomes, and Evaluation

In April 2013, 20 hours of nursing breastfeeding education were initiated as mandated by the BFHI. A multidisciplinary team of advanced practice nurses, managers, lactation consultants, and education coordinators from the neonatal intensive care unit, labor and delivery unit, and mother–baby unit came together to plan for this initiative. The perinatal service line used a variety of methods to meet the 20-hour requirement of education needs. Fifteen of these hours involved a didactic portion of education. Programs chosen to meet the didactic requirements were one of the following: Certified Lactation Counselor course, Certified Breastfeeding Counselor course, The University of Virginia Breastfeeding Education course, or the Breastfeeding Advisor course. Five of the hours of training were required for hands-on skilled nursing breastfeeding education. The multidisciplinary team developed a breastfeeding educational skills workshop, electronic learning module, and a hands-on bedside learning opportunity to meet these requirements.

Following implementation of a comprehensive educational program, the rates of initiation of exclusive breastfeeding have trended upward. Before nursing breastfeeding education from December 2012 to March 2013, the average exclusive breastfeeding rate was 38.55%. After completion of nursing breastfeeding education, from April 2013 to July 2013, the average exclusive breastfeeding rate was 53.5%. By providing a comprehensive breastfeeding education plan to perinatal nursing staff, we have demonstrated that the BFHI is a valid breastfeeding educational program and leads to increased exclusive breastfeeding rates.

Implications for Nursing Practice

A multidisciplinary team approach is an effective way to develop a plan to support breastfeeding nursing education based on the principles of the BFHI and effectively change breastfeeding culture and increase exclusive breastfeeding rates in a large academic medical setting.

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