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Learning Objective 1: At the completion of the presentation, the learner will be able to list at least three facilitators of optimal breastfeeding practices.
Learning Objective 2: At the completion of the presentation, the learner will be able to analyze a community breastfeeding case study using the Community Breastfeeding Network framework.
Breastfeeding is a powerful public health intervention which offers a myriad of benefits to mothers and children (Edmond, Kirkwood, Tawiah, & Agyei, 2008; Stuebe, A., 2009). Developing community specific interventions to promote breastfeeding is a complex process. The newly developed Community Breastfeeding Network (CBN) theory provides a framework for approaching breastfeeding promotion at the community level.
Methods
A concept analysis of breastfeeding was conducted to provide a more complete understanding of breastfeeding than the previously published works offered. Antecedents, criteria and consequences of breastfeeding were extracted from a comprehensive literature review. The criteria of breastfeeding were categorized and defined in a way consistent with how breastfeeding is currently measured in empirical data. The concept analysis provided the foundation for the framework development, but the theoretical framework was further refined, through the use of additional research synthesis and practice to theory method of theory construction.
Results
The resulting CBN theory offers a global view of breastfeeding from the community level and provides measureable indicators of optimal breastfeeding practices. Facilitators and benefits of optimal breastfeeding are incorporated into the framework. The CBN theory also illustrates how the relationship between the maternal child dyad, the family and the community are central to the understanding of community breastfeeding practices.
Conclusions
The CBN is a newly developed theoretical framework for understanding, assessing and promoting breastfeeding at the community level which is consistent with current empirical data and has potential to improve the development and comparison of global breastfeeding initiatives.
References
Edmond, K.M., Kirkwood, B.R., Tawiah, C.A., & Agyei, S.O. (2008). Impact of early infant feeding practices on mortality in low birth weight infants from rural Ghana. Journal of Perinatology, 28, 438-444. doi:10.1038/jp2008.19
Stuebe, A. (2009). The risks of not breastfeeding for mothers and infants. Reviews in Obstetrics & Gynecology, 2(4), 222-231. doi:10.3909/riog0093