Exploring the Impact of Offering an Undergraduate Lactation Elective Course as a Strategy for Normalizing Breastfeeding

Abstract

BackgroundMore breastfeeding interventions targeting female and male undergraduates before they become parents are needed to foster accurate breastfeeding knowledge, positive attitudes toward breastfeeding, and a greater intent to breastfeed. This study aimed to assess the impact of completing a lactation elective course on undergraduates' breastfeeding knowledge, attitudes, and intention.MethodsPre- and postcourse surveys were administered to 96 undergraduates from various majors enrolled in a lactation elective.ResultsFrom pre- to postcourse, this study found significant increases in undergraduates' breastfeeding knowledge, attitudes, and intent.ConclusionsBecause most undergraduates in the United States become parents only after graduation, universities have an opportunity to foster the knowledge and attitudes needed to breastfeed successfully. As breastfeeding knowledge and attitudes in men and women are strong predictors of breastfeeding intent, initiation, and duration, offering undergraduate lactation elective courses is a promising strategy to improve future parents' breastfeeding knowledge, attitudes, and intention, helping to normalize breastfeeding and improve breastfeeding rates.