DNP Scholarly Projects

Abstract

While there is evidence to suggest that hospital lactation support impacts rates of breastfeeding initiation by new mothers, women may benefit from additional lactation support and intervention to meet Healthy People 2020 goals for breastfeeding duration and exclusivity. Breastfeeding self-efficacy can be targeted by lactation counselors to improve breastfeeding outcomes. The purpose of this study was to determine how in-home lactation support influences breastfeeding self-efficacy, duration, and exclusivity. A descriptive, cross-sectional, survey-based design with convenience sampling was used in the study, in which a one-time, voluntary, electronic survey with a retrospective pretest-posttest was emailed to postpartum women who received in-home lactation support from a Middle Tennessee community-based lactation support company. Data were collected from the responses of the 57 participants. Self-efficacy scores were significantly higher after the visit with in-home lactation support than before (p ≤0.001). Breastfeeding self-efficacy was a significant predictor of breastfeeding duration (p=0.014) and exclusivity (p=0.001). In-home lactation support during the early postpartum period can lead to higher breastfeeding self-efficacy and longer breastfeeding duration and exclusivity. Healthcare professionals should make mothers aware of lactation support resource options prenatally and postpartum. Cost is a barrier to receive lactation support, but using a lactation counselor is cost-effective long-term. Insurers should reimburse lactation support to improve access for those who cannot afford it. Improving access can reduce disparities in rates of breastfeeding.

Date

4-2018

Department

Nursing, School of

College

Health Sciences & Nursing, Gordon E. Inman College of

Document Type

Scholarly Project

Degree

Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Degree Level

Doctoral

Degree Grantor

Belmont University

Keywords

Breastfeeding; Lactation

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Nursing Commons

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