by: Joan Levy and Mary Overfield
Nurse Practitioners are in a unique position to promote the benefits of breastfeeding while treating a diverse population of patients in a variety of settings. There are numerous opportunities to tout the benefits of breast milk for the baby (increased immunity for a variety of illness and lower incidence of many diseases, most notably diabetes and obesity); for the mother (lower incidences of many diseases, most notable breast, ovarian and uterine cancers); for both parents (cost effective, always available); for employers (less time lost to illness for parents of breastfeeding infants) and for our society (decreased health care costs and less negative environmental impact).
Bring up the topic of breastfeeding whenever it is appropriate –
During a prenatal physical, you can assure a woman that her breasts are perfectly suited for nursing her baby. Ask her what she has heard about breastfeeding and target your education accordingly. Do remember to include the father/support person during this educational process.
If an older patient mentions he has a brand new grandbaby due soon, you can encourage him to be supportive of breastfeeding, stressing the health benefits for mother and baby.
Have breastfeeding posters and art work in your practice setting –
When patients see visual representations of breastfeeding, your support is evident. They say one picture is worth a thousand words!
Provide handouts about breastfeeding as a component of your patient education materials -
Handouts can acquaint your patients with the latest research about the health benefits for both the mother and baby; stress the importance of the father/partner and grandparent role in supporting breastfeeding, etc.
Educate your colleagues –
In your practice, you can offer “Lunch and Learn” in-services, put up posters in the break room and have copies of interesting articles available for circulation.
Advocate at your professional organizations for breastfeeding to be a conference session topic and the subject for continuing education credits.
Educate the public –
Serve as a resource or help start a community-based group for breastfeeding mothers.
Encourage the NC legislature to have breastfeeding included in the public school K – 12 curriculums, as is available in NY and TX (available on the web for review and use).
Offer to be a guest speaker in science and family life classes, at after-school clubs and scout meetings. Be a presenter at educational offerings in churches, synagogues and mosques.
Encourage your patients and instill confidence that breastfeeding is attainable for families -
The encouragement of her nurse practitioner may be a major reason a mother is willing to breastfeed her baby. Knowing that you believe she can do it and that you think it is the very best for her health as well as her baby’s health can be huge incentives.
While acknowledging breastfeeding is best for babies, patients can be bewildered as to how fit breastfeeding into their busy lifestyles. As health care providers, nurse practitioners can “normalize” breastfeeding by addressing this as the expected manner in which babies are fed. Answers to typical questions about the challenges of breastfeeding and/or returning to work will help mothers develop the confidence to breastfeed whether a stay-at-home mother or a working professional.
Know where to go for help with breastfeeding –
Resources for the nurse practitioner and/or patient can include: other healthcare providers, the hospital or birth center where the mother delivered, the Women, Infants and Children Special Supplemental Nutrition Program (WIC), private practice certified lactation consultants, community breastfeeding support groups and internet websites.
Telephone help:
La Leche League Helpline* 1-877-452-5324
NC Family Health Resource Line* 1-800-FOR-BABY (1-800-367-2229)
National Women’s Health Information Center* 1-800-994-9662
*In Spanish as well as English TDD 1-888-220-5446
NC Women’s Hospital Breastfeeding Warmline 919-966-4148
Helpful internet websites include:
Two recent presenters at the Wake County/Central Nurse Practitioner Council – Joan Levy and Mary Overfield – are also more than willing to support nurse practitioners efforts as they advocate for breastfeeding. Joan is a NC State Certified Lactation Educator working at Duke Medicine, overseeing the Perinatal Education Program. Mary is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant who is co-owner of Breastfeeding Education Resources, Inc. You can reach them at: joan.levy@duke.edu and/or mary_overfield@yahoo.com
Note – World Breastfeeding Week (WBW), August 1-7, 2009, is a great outreach vehicle for the breastfeeding movement, being celebrated in over 120 countries. The theme for World Breastfeeding Week 2009 is “Breastfeeding: A Vital Emergency Response. Are you ready?” It is a timely theme in light of recent hurricanes, tsunamis, and earthquakes and another reason to advocate for breastfeeding. We unfortunately learned too many lessons about the importance of breastfeeding during disaster services in the aftermath Hurricane Katrina – mothers who were dependent on formula and clean water were at a distinct disadvantage during this time.
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