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Learning Objective 1: The learner will identify three patient, organizational or health network outcomes after breastfeeding group implementation.
Learning Objective 2: The learner will identify two fellow impact outcomes after participation in Maternal-Child Leadership Academy.
Support breastfeeding is a goal for many agencies including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO) and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The U.S. breastfeeding rates have risen over the years but there is tremendous amount of work which needs to be completed to increase the number of women who choose to breastfeed and continue to do so at 6 months and one year. As of 2009, approximately 77% of women in the United States started out breastfeeding with only 47% of women are still breastfeeding at 6 months (CDC, 2012). Cessation of breastfeeding occurs at different times in the postpartum period and for a variety of reasons. Women identify lack of community avenues to connect with other breastfeeding mothers and lack of information or instruction from health care professionals as barriers (CDC, 2012). The initiation of the free outpatient breastfeeding support group was developed to eliminate some of the barriers.
PROJECT ACTIVITIES/METHODS
Approval to implement the outpatient breastfeeding support group was obtained from the Obstetrics/Gynecology Leadership Team and funding obtained from a grant from the volunteer department at the University of Colorado Hospital. The first group was held in April of 2012 and meets weekly. The group is led by a Lactation Consultant, Registered Nurse and approved University of Colorado Hospital volunteer. Women are assisted with breastfeeding, concerns addressed and a sense of community established while talking with other women. In addition, infant weights are completed prior to and after breastfeeding as a way to identify concerns and offer reassurance. Women are informed of the group prenatally by providers and staff. A flyer was created and is included in patient materials antepartally and pospartally.
References
CDC. (2012). Breastfeeding Report Card-United States, 2012. Retrieved from: http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/data/reportcard.htm
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