Prenatal Education for Black Mothers and Their Support Persons as an Intervention for Improving Initiation of Breastfeeding

Author

Sandra KingFollow

Date of Award

Summer 2022

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Department

Nursing

Faculty Chair

Dr. Arlinda Wormley

Preceptor

Dr. Elizabeth Sahlie

Abstract

Background: The benefits of breastfeeding are commonly known; however, the rates of exclusive breastfeeding among the Black community are less than those of other ethnic groups. Providing breastmilk or formula to an infant is an individual decision. Influential factors such as cultural background, employment status, socioeconomic status, level of education, and availability of support from family members and health care providers correlate with the method a mother chooses to feed her infant. Increasing breastfeeding initiation immediately after birth is a necessary precedent for uptake in the exclusivity of breastfeeding.

Purpose: This Doctor of Nursing Practice project aims to improve prenatal lactation education participation of Black mothers and their support persons and improve exclusive breastfeeding rates within the first 48 hours of life.

Methods: Black patients were invited to participate in a free prenatal lactation education course with their support person. The class was delivered virtually. The instructor was an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). Tools utilized included the Infant Feeding Intentions scale, evidence-based breastfeeding material, Survey Monkey, DocuSign and a data tracking spreadsheet. Data collected from the electronic health record (EHR) included the mother’s stated preference for feeding, actual type of feedings received, infant’s location, and estimated gestational age. Investigators compared the breastfeeding rates of participants to the previous rates in 2021.

Results: There was no statistical difference between mothers who received prenatal lactation education with a support person compared to those who did not receive prenatal lactation education with a support person.

Conclusion: Although this project did not show an increase in exclusive breastfeeding among mothers who received prenatal lactation education with a support person, it did reflect an increase in mothers who provided exclusive breastmilk to their infants who were separated due to transfer to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Those mothers were given access to electronic breast pumps and milk storage supplies while simultaneously receiving education on how to utilize the pump and the importance of breastmilk from the NICU team. This is an incidental finding which warrants further investigation.

Recommended Citation

King, Sandra, "Prenatal Education for Black Mothers and Their Support Persons as an Intervention for Improving Initiation of Breastfeeding" (2022). Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects. 78.
https://digitalcommons.jsu.edu/etds_nursing/78