Purpose: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that pediatricians promote and help manage breastfeeding. However, research has shown that they are not adequately prepared. To address this gap, a 2-week mandatory lactation rotation program was developed for first-year pediatric residents. The aim of the study was to provide a lactation education program and to measure the residents’ knowledge and perceived confidence regarding breastfeeding.
Methods: This longitudinal self-report pretest/posttest study was conducted with a convenience sample of 45 first-year pediatric residents. Each resident spent a minimum of 50 hours with an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. To measure breastfeeding knowledge and clinical confidence, the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Breastfeeding Residency Curriculum pretest was used 4 times: first and last day of the rotation and at 6 and 12 months postrotation.
Results: Test and confidence scores were evaluated. Statistically significant differences in knowledge were found between test 1 when compared with tests 2, 3, and 4 (p < .001). No significant differences were found between tests 2, 3, and 4 (p >.05). The abilities to "adequately address parents' questions" and to "completely manage common problems" were significant, with confidence increasing in tests 2, 3 and 4 (p <.001).
Conclusion: To increase breastfeeding initiation and duration rates, health care providers must fulfill their responsibility to provide appropriate management, counseling, and support for breastfeeding mothers and infants. Evidence-based knowledge is a critical first step in ensuring that residents are adequately prepared for this most important role. The skills and knowledge achieved will help guide them throughout their career. Resident education regarding lactation is a vital component that is lacking in many current residency training programs. As a result of this innovative, comprehensive educational lactation program, the pediatric residents’ knowledge and perceived confidence related to breastfeeding significantly increased and were maintained up to 12 months postrotation. Other groups of resident physicians and medical and nursing students could benefit from similar lactation rotations. The focus on breastfeeding curricula must evolve, be studied, and be deemed as preventive medicine.