Infant Feeding Plan: An Innovative Documentation Tool to Improve Communication between Caregivers and Families

Abstract

A lack of communication was identified surrounding a mother’s feeding decision and multiple health care providers. This lack of communication resulted in a mother’s perceived lack of respect by providers regarding her preference for newborn feeding. To address this issue, an innovative, crib side, infant feeding plan documentation tool was created to identify a mother’s preference for feeding her newborn from birth through discharge. Providers also noted a large variation between provider practices related to newborn feeding and maternal preference.