Shifting the Paradigm: Collective Responsibility for Breastfeeding Success
By: Sarah Velasco, DNP, FNP-C, RNC-NIC, Synova Associates Clinical Advisor
As nurses, we enter this esteemed profession with a commitment to healing and supporting patients. Our effectiveness is profoundly influenced by the training and mentorship we receive, the literature we engage with, and the priorities established by our hospitals and health systems. In nursing school, we were taught that human milk is the optimal choice for reducing allergies, asthma, and other health issues that extend into adulthood. However, the underlying science of lactation and human milk, along with strategies to enhance families’ breastfeeding experiences and improve patient outcomes, were often overlooked.
I recently conducted a lactation-focused literature review to look at what benefits breastmilk provides. The literature revealed that babies receiving breastmilk have a lower risk of asthma, obesity, type 1 diabetes, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Breastfed babies are also less likely to have ear infections and stomach bugs, because of the many disease-fighting factors that breastmilk has. Reading through the literature lead me to wonder: if perinatal and neonatal nurses were more aware of the extensive research on infant outcomes, would we dedicate more time to supporting families post-delivery with latching techniques or assisting with scheduled pumping? How can we, as bedside nurses and nursing leaders, shift the paradigm from relying solely on lactation consultants for breastfeeding support to embracing a collective responsibility for fostering a positive lactation experience?
Ensuring that all neonatal and perinatal bedside nurses are educated and competent in supporting breastfeeding during a mother’s hospital stay is crucial. So often we are dependent on a few skilled lactation consultants or nurses known for their success around getting babies to successfully breastfeed. An area for nurse leaders to invest in is ensuring all nurses possess the skills and knowledge to assist with latching techniques, address concerns, and offer emotional support. This kind of education and skill development aids in better patient outcomes and better breastfeeding success. This competency not only helps empowers mothers, but also fosters a culture of care that prioritizes the health and well-being of families. By equipping nurses with the necessary tools and training, healthcare facilities can enhance breastfeeding initiation and duration, ultimately leading to better health outcomes for both mothers and their newborns.
As nurses and leaders, we are driven to improve clinical care and patient outcomes. By integrating breastfeeding education into the core practices of perinatal and neonatal nursing, we can create meaningful impacts. I am inspired by the prospect of reducing reliance on donor human milk, empowering first-time mothers to breastfeed confidently beyond the lactation consultant’s availability and emphasizing the science that underpins our practices.
Resources to Support Nurse Education on Lactation Support
I recently had the opportunity to connect with Medela, a global medical device company and a leader in the mother-baby market. The company is committed to a research-based approach to innovation, as well as the education it provides.
To foster a research-based approach, Medela provides three key education platforms for clinicians:
- A free CEU series that features expert-led discussions on breastfeeding, human milk, and maternal-infant health. These sessions offer actionable insights in under 60 minutes.
- Medela University, which equips nursing leaders with modules on female anatomy, lactation stages, and breastfeeding support strategies. The education caters to both new and experienced nurses. Medela University courses are unbranded and can be uploaded to a hospital’s Learning Management System (LMS), that allows for easy administration of lactation topics.
- A newsletter to keep readers informed about educational opportunities and industry trends, while providing updates on new products and insights without being overwhelming.
During our conversation, Medela reinforced their mission to transform scientific knowledge into actionable care, fostering health for generations. They are dedicated to collaborating with leading experts to develop innovative products and research that support families in healthy growth. Their commitment to enhancing nurses’ foundational knowledge ensures the delivery of evidence-based care around the clock through diverse educational channels.
Learn more about Medela.
The material presented in this blog represents the opinion of the author(s) and not necessarily the views of Synova Associates. Synova Associates does not endorse any specific products or organizations but strives to connect its industry partners with leaders interested in product/educational innovation.
