SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Breastfeeding Through 2 Months of Life of a Newborn

Pdf Summary

The document describes a quality-improvement project at WHMC, a baby-friendly hospital in New York City, aimed at improving breastfeeding rates through 2 months of age. Breastfeeding is emphasized as the normative standard for infant nutrition and is associated with lower risks of many infections and chronic diseases. Despite strong initial breastfeeding support at birth, WHMC observed a steep decline in both any breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding during the first 2 months of life.<br /><br />The project goals were to identify current breastfeeding rates, increase breastfeeding initiation by 10%, improve continuation through at least 2 months, and use an IRB-approved survey to identify personal barriers. Interventions included collecting pilot data from inpatient nursery and outpatient visits, adding breastfeeding benefits and resource information to Healthy Steps packets at newborn, 1-month, and 2-month visits, and educating pediatric residents, nurses, nurse practitioners, house officers, and support staff with pamphlets and inservice training.<br /><br />Results showed substantial improvement after the intervention. At the 1-month well-child visit, any breastfeeding increased from 52% in the pilot group to 77% post-intervention (p = 0.014). At 2 months, any breastfeeding rose from 30% to 70% (p = 0.00012), and exclusive breastfeeding increased from 8% to 32% (p = 0.0172). Although rates remained below national benchmarks, the intervention significantly improved breastfeeding continuation.<br /><br />Survey responses and personal narratives identified common barriers: lack of time, perceived low milk supply, pain/discomfort, and infant latch difficulties or refusal to breastfeed. The team plans to continue distributing educational materials through 6 months, reinforce breastfeeding counseling at each visit, retrain staff on technique and support, and use barrier data to guide future interventions.

Asset Subtitle

Jose Ugarriza

Meta Tag

Author List Carla Cabezas, Diana Vientos, Didier Murillo-Parra, Gloria Palma-Cardona, Jose Ugarriza, Michael Kho, Patrisha Woolard-Pickens, Sanjivan Patel

Category Research

Concept Breastfeeding

Concept Human Milk

Concept Infant Nutrition

Concept Exclusive Breastfeeding

Concept Baby-Friendly Hospital Protocols

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Wyckoff Heights Medical Center

Presenting Author Jose Ugarriza

Track Quality Improvement

Keywords

breastfeeding

quality improvement

WHMC

baby-friendly hospital

exclusive breastfeeding

infant nutrition

breastfeeding continuation

newborn care

lactation support

barriers to breastfeeding

Breastfeeding

Human Milk

Infant Nutrition

Exclusive Breastfeeding

Baby-Friendly Hospital Protocols