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Increasing Initiation And Exclusivity Of Breastfeeding In The Hospitalized Postpartum Dyad, Candace L. Rouse

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The purpose of this project was to highlight an intervention to increase breastfeeding initiation and exclusive breastfeeding during the birth hospitalization in a coastal mid-Atlantic inner city hospital. Although researchers and national standards promote early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding, there continues to be a significant number of women who do not breastfeed and/or supplement with formula. The advantages of breastfeeding for mother and infant are substantial and include protecting babies from allergens to reducing maternal breast and ovarian cancer. Breastfeeding rates of initiation and exclusivity at the project hospital were below benchmarks set by international, national, and state agencies. The …