| Learning Objective #1: Discuss how students can provide advocacy to improve breastfeeding outcomes in vulnerable populations | |||
| Learning Objective #2: Discuss the benefits of a shared appointment between a school of nursing and a clinical agency |
A clinician educator provides links between the academic and the practice setting to improve breastfeeding in vulnerable populations. This breastfeeding advocacy results in improved breastfeeding initiation/duration and more positive attitudes about breastfeeding by health care providers and the community. Projects developed by students in the author's seminar on breastfeeding will illustrate how partnerships can be built between an academic institution, the community and/or the practice setting. Exemplar one: The role of the father has been noted to be integral in breastfeeding initiation and duration, yet many fathers report feeling left out when a mother chooses to breastfeed. The student worked with a clinical agency to which the author had ties and developed a support group for breastfeeding fathers. This group continues to meet and meet the needs of fathers five years after its inception. Exemplar two: Many immigrant communities in the United States have lower incidence of breastfeeding than in their home lands. A male Vietnamese student identified this problem in his community and linked with his church to address the issue. The student conducted an educational session in Vietnamese to a group of childbearing families and translated written materials into Vietnamese. This first session was so positively received, that he was asked to work with the church elders on this issue. Exemplar three: Recent laws have been enacted to protect the rights of breastfeeding women, however many women report feeling uncomfortable when breastfeeding in public. The local restaurant community was targeted and the student met with restaurant owners to designate "Breastfeeding Friendly Facilities". This guide is now being circulated by nursing mothers groups. In order to truly change breastfeeding perceptions and practices diverse strategies are necessary. By having a faculty/clinical expert facilitating students to develop creative advocacy projects, positive change will be noted one community at a time.
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