Increasing Exclusive Breast Milk Feeding Rates at an Urban Academic Hospital

Abstract

Creation and implementation of Donor Pasteurized Milk Policy; all nurses attended mandatory education session Implementation of 24-hour rooming in (no separation of mothers and newborns via standard nursery) Survey given to patients to identify the most popular reasons for supplementation Journal clubs discussing breastfeeding issues Consultations with lactation consultants at other facilities Increasing rates and duration of initial skin-toskin contact and first breastfeeding session Daily patient rounds and assessments by international board certified lactation consultant Mandatory interdisciplinary breastfeeding education for all nurses, obstetricians, and pediatricians Education related to alternative breast milk feeding methods Outside speaker (international board certified lactation consultant) that moderated discussion of obstacles to exclusive breast milk feeding Feeding care plans (for complicated situations) developed collaboratively with nurses and international board certified lactation consultants Implementation of mother and newborn “quiet time”