Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Impact Of Doulas On Breastfeeding In Black Women: A Literature Review, Delaney C. Holland

Capstone Experience

This literature review was conducted to explore the impacts doulas have on breastfeeding initiation and continuation in the Black population. Black women’s breastfeeding and continuation is exceptionally low compared to white women and other races and ethnicities. Six journal articles were used to examine the relationships that doulas have on breastfeeding initiation and continuation in black communities. There was an array of study designs found throughout the articles to help support the doula and breastfeeding relationship in Black women. The results of this literature review were preliminarily positive, but more evidence is required to firmly establish the positive impact of …

A Public Health Educational Campaign For Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (Suid) Intervention, Elia G. Peralta Landeros

Master's Projects and Capstones

Purpose: The rate of infant mortality serves as a crucial indicator of the overall health of society (CDC, 2022). The five leading causes of infant mortality are birth defects, preterm birth, sudden infant death syndrome, injuries, and maternal pregnancy complications. The prevalence of infant mortality varies across states, with eastern states and minority-ethnicity infants having higher prevalence. This thesis proposes utilizing the Safe to Sleep framework to introduce Giving Breath, a public health education campaign that introduced breastfeeding as an intervention to Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID).

Methods:

1. Analyze current and new policies' impact on women's rights to breastfeed …

Improving Breastfeeding Rates In A Rural And Medically Underserved Community, Kaylie D. Waters

Culminating Experience Projects

Background: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports national breastfeeding rates that are inconsistent with the recommendation of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life (CDC, 2020). The rate of infants receiving any breastmilk by six months of age in a rural Midwest County is only 16% in contrast to 55% nationally (CDC, 2020; XXXXX, 2021). This discrepancy was addressed by evaluating breastfeeding status in that Midwest community followed by strategies to improve breastfeeding rates.

Methods: A multi-intervention quality improvement project was implemented using the SEIPS framework. The project evaluated the effectiveness of documenting breastfeeding status in …

A National Assessment Of Household, Community, And Environmental Situations On Breastfeeding Decisions, Marnita Siglar Thomas

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Exclusively breastfeeding has been proven to be an effective preventive measure for childhood obesity; however, breastfeeding practices decline after 6 months. Secondary data from the 2018-2019 combined National Survey of Children's Health were used for this study to determine the household, community, and physical environment relationship between individuals' decisions to breastfeed and sustainment in the United States (N=16,750). Grounded by the theoretical framework of the socio-ecological model, the results suggested that household, community, and physical environments predict individuals' decisions to initiate breastfeeding and sustainment nationally (p < 0.001). Binary logistic regression, controlling for maternal age, indicated a statistical significance between breastfeeding initiation and income (p = 0.043, p = 0.041), family structure (p = 0.003, p < 0.001), education (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001), neighborhood support (p < 0.001), and neighborhood amenities (p = 0.039, p <0.001, p < 0.001). A statistical significance between breastfeeding duration and family structure (p = 0.061), education (p < 0.001, p < 0.001), maternal overall health (p <0.001), neighborhood support (p = 0.008), neighborhood safety (p = 0.006), and neighborhood amenities (p = 0.019) was found when controlling for maternal age. Implications for positive social change include providing health professionals with knowledge on breastfeeding decision making to encourage new recommendations and implement new practices and policies to promote breastfeeding and ultimately reduce the incidence of overweight and obesity in children nationwide.

Detecting Postpartum Depression In Women: Effects Of Breastfeeding, Weight Gain, And Abuse, Ifitumi Audu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Postpartum depression is a significant health issue that has affected over 10% of womenworldwide. However, it has not received the attention it deserves, and many women continue to suffer in silence. Certain risk factors are indicative of postpartum depression. Some include a history of depression and a lack of a support system. Others include weight gain, breastfeeding, and physical/emotional abuse. However, research on these is limited. Thus, this research aimed to investigate the effect of breastfeeding, weight gain, and abuse on postpartum depression in women between 18 and 40+. This cross-sectional study used secondary data from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment …

Lactating Justice: Constructing A Society Economically Focused On Optimizing Health Through Human Lactation, Shadley Hobour

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This paper uses a qualitative research method to answer if a Universal Base Income would be a good economic policy to adopt to optimize Black chestfeeding. The key idea this thesis aims to clarify is how anti Blackness is killing Black people and how one economic policy could improve health. In this essay, I will break down the significance and importance of human lactation for lifelong better health, and investment in a UBI would especially work as a preventative measure for several health issues Black people experiences.

Assessing Best Practices, Perceptions, And Barriers To Breastfeeding In The Appalachian Region, Melissa White

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Breastfeeding protects against a variety of adverse health outcomes for mothers and babies. Global best practices, known as the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI), have been developed to support the initiation and exclusivity of breastfeeding during the post-delivery hospital stay. The aims of this study were to explore the literature related to the impact of the BFHI on breastfeeding disparities in the U.S.; compare the impact of exposure to these best practices on exclusive breastfeeding rates in Appalachian and non-Appalachian hospitals; and to understand knowledge, perceptions, and barriers to breastfeeding of postpartum mothers receiving care in a Northeast Tennessee OB/GYN …

Qualitative Analysis Of South Dakota Community Health Needs Assessments, Rachel Greiner

Honors Thesis

The supplemental nutrition program of women, infants and children (WIC) is a nationwide program designed to give women and children access to basic nutritional foods, breastfeeding services, and healthcare referrals. WIC has been shown to help prevent some diseases such as nutritional deficiencies or type two diabetes by requiring participants to attend pre- and postnatal appointments and nutritional counseling. The effectiveness of the WIC program is not well known in individual states. The purpose of this research is to identify trends of the WIC program and resources within South Dakota through an analysis of the community health needs assessments. The …

Mapping The Milk: Integrating Donor Human Milk Into Infant Nutrition Systems, Delaney Hartmann

Scripps Senior Theses

A human milk diet is an important part of the health and survival of all infants. A human milk diet is especially crucial for the most vulnerable preterm infants as it promotes a healthy gut and protects from Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC). However, many preterm infants are unable to consume their mother’s own milk due to breastfeeding challenges resulting from early delivery. Therefore, nutritional supplementation is often necessary for preterm infants and donor human milk (DHM) is highly superior to baby formula. DHM in the United States is processed at the 29 not-for-profit Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA) …

Intention To Breastfeed: Breastfeeding Attitudes, Norms, Self-Efficacy, Social Support Network And Community Resources Of African American, Low-Income, Emerging Adult Women, Pregnant For The First Time, Sara E. Brown

Theses & Dissertations

African American (AA) women continue to have the lowest rates of breastfeeding. This continues to create a health disparity even though breastfeeding is extensively recognized in the scientific and health care communities as the optimal feeding choice for infants. This study examined the relationship between the external variables (social support network and community resources) and the explanatory variables (attitudes, norms, and perceived self-efficacy) and intention to breastfeed, for the AA, first time, low-income, emerging adult pregnant woman. The Integrated Behavior Model (IBM) was used as the theoretical framework to guide this study in better understanding the variables influencing breastfeeding intention. …

An Exploration Of Trauma-And-Violence Informed Care For Supporting Breastfeeding Practices Among Mothers Who Are At-Risk: The Experiences Of Breastfeeding Social Support, Emila Siwik

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Mothers who are at-risk (lack breastfeeding social support, young, of low socioeconomic status, and experienced intimate partner violence) are less likely to maintain breastfeeding practices, compared to mothers who are not at-risk. This study explored at-risk mother’s experiences of participating in a trauma-and-violence informed breastfeeding intervention on perceived formal and informal breastfeeding social support, and breastfeeding practices. This cross-sectional study of nine in-depth interviews used interpretive description at 12-weeks postpartum with mothers who are at-risk. Results found formal support including emphasis on safety and trustworthiness, choice, collaboration, and connection, and skill building to support resilience enabled mothers to continue their …

Evaluating A Community-Based Breastfeeding Support Organization In Nebraska, Katelyn Elaine Goodroe

Capstone Experience

Specific Aims: The aims of this evaluation plan are to investigate the role of the Nebraska nonprofit organization, MilkWorks, in promoting breastfeeding and family support programming and to identify future internal and external growth opportunities through an assessment of the organizational practices using stakeholder perspectives and marketing structure to better promote infant and parental health.

Significance: As a best practice, evaluation of MilkWorks is critical to providing proper services for promoting infant development and parental health in urban and rural Nebraska communities.

Background: MilkWorks was founded in Lincoln, Nebraska, by mothers with the intention of promoting breastfeeding by offering support …

A Collective Metamorphosis Of Breastfeeding Mothers: A Phenomenological Exploration Of A Face-To-Face Healthcare Provider Facilitated Peer Support Group, Emily Alexandria Tucker

Doctoral Dissertations

This research study used phenomenology to examine a face-to-face healthcare facilitated breastfeeding support group. Participant observations and phenomenology were used to address the following research questions: 1) what are the lived experiences of the women participating a breastfeeding support group, 2) how does the group influence their lived experiences, and 3) what were the common experiences of these women? The support group participants were observed while the researcher acted as a participant observer over the course of an eleven-month period. There were a total of seven women interviewed about their lived experiences breastfeeding and attending the support group. Data from …

Tiny Tusks Internship: The Importance Of Breastfeeding Education In The Workplace, Gianna Hogan

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Breastfeeding education in public, especially in the workplace, is a concept that has a multitude of different perspectives. Research has shown that breastfeeding has many positive effects on mother and baby, that can be lessened due to the lack of breastfeeding support in various organizations. In this literature review, barriers to breastfeeding in the workplace were analyzed in order to understand the effects these barriers have on breastfeeding duration. In addition, this review helped emphasize the need for policies to be enacted in the workplace to better support breastfeeding mothers, and the impact these policies have on employee retention rates …

Tiny Tusks Internship: An Analysis Of Exclusive Breastfeeding In Low Income Women, Brittany Jones

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Due to the fact that formula feeding is often seen as the “easier” option for some women, this literature analysis was conducted to gain an understanding about factors which influence the perception of breastfeeding in low-income populations. This literature review analyzed the factors which influence reduced rates of breastfeeding in lower income populations and the importance of breastfeeding education to this population. A search through CINAHL and PubMed for journal articles dating from 2016 to 2021 was conducted. The search generated 46 studies, 40 from CINAHL and 6 from PubMed. Study eligibility was determined by looking for articles involving low …

Tiny Tusks Internship: Marketing Towards Breastfeeding: How Marketing Can Either Help Or Hinder How Breastfeeding Is Perceived, Hailey Tremmel

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Tiny Tusks Breastfeeding and Infant Support is a program run by faculty and students in the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing program that allows for breastfeeding mothers in attendance at the University of Arkansas sporting events to have a place to pump or provide care to their infant. How marketing towards breastfeeding is portrayed has a huge impact on helping breastfeeding mothers to feel properly educated and supported about the decision to breastfeed. The purpose of this literature review is to demonstrate how marketing tactics can affect the view of breastfeeding, whether that be positive or negative. The results found …

Relationships Between Postpartum Anxiety, Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy, And Breastfeeding Exclusivity, Rachel Eichholtz

Masters Theses

Background

Though several important barriers to exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) have been identified, the relationship between postpartum anxiety and EBF remains inadequately explored.

Objective

The objective of this study was to determine if there was a significant relationship between postpartum anxiety and EBF and, if so, determine if breastfeeding self-efficacy moderated this relationship.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional, online survey. Eligibility criteria: mothers (at least 18 years of age), with an infant (aged 4-24 weeks), and who had provided breastmilk at least once in the previous two weeks. The survey instrument included demographic questions and three scales: the EPDS (Edinburgh Postpartum …

Breastfeeding Information And Breastfeeding Duration Among African American Women With A Family History Of Breast Or Ovarian Cancer, Aleatha Johnson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Decades of research supports the notion that breastfeeding may help prevent breast and ovarian cancer in women. Women with a family history of these cancers are at greater risk. African American women have the lowest breastfeeding rates, yet the highest breast and ovarian cancer mortality rates. No studies have been conducted exploring the impact of being informed about breastfeeding from health care providers, breastfeeding support services, or family and friends and the relationship between their knowledge of family history of breast or ovarian cancer and breastfeeding duration for African American women. The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine …

Examining The Factors That Lead To Latinas Stopping Breastfeeding Across The United States, Dulce Ruelas

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Breastfeeding is the optimal nutrition for an infant, yet only 25.4% of women in the United States decide to breastfeed. A Latina's choice for infant feeding must be made with accurate information as breastfeeding may reduce infant mortality and decrease chronic conditions such as obesity, depression, and diabetes. The study's purpose was to examine if Latinas are influenced by suggestions to not breastfeed by family members and health care providers or by events that may have happened at the hospital. Grounded in the theory of planned behavior, this study reviewed if social influences, marital status, and maternal education link to …

Breastfeeding Duration And Reasons Given For Early Cessation Of Breastfeeding Among Wic Mothers, Amy Willa

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

The Breastfeeding Duration and Reasons for Early Cessation of Breastfeeding Among WIC Mothers study was conducted to describe the duration of and factors associated with early breastfeeding cessation among the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) population. We collected data from a random sample of WIC medical records, sampling medical records belonging to mothers who initiated breastfeeding an infant but did not breastfeed to 52 weeks. Data were analyzed to answer the questions: How long do WIC mothers breastfeed? What reasons are given during counseling sessions at WIC for early cessation of breastfeeding? Do socio-economic, demographic, or medical factors influence the …

Feminism And Low Breastfeeding Rates In France, Megan Wadsworth

Honors Theses

Breastfeeding rates in France are among the lowest in high-income countries, indicating that French mothers do not breastfeed for nearly as long as is recommended by healthcare professionals and international health organizations. French government, society and conflicting feminist perspectives all influence the likelihood that mothers will breastfeed. The French government has regulations in place to protect women’s right to breastfeed in public and in the workplace, but it is unclear if these are truly beneficial for French women. French society is a seemingly inhospitable environment in which mothers do not feel safe and secure to breastfeed publicly. Motherhood and feminism …

Exploration Of Breastfeeding As A Protective Factor For Breast Cancer In South African Women: A Nested Case-Control Study, Quiera S. Booker

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

South African’s (SA) breast cancer incidence rate is continually increasing (39 per 100,000 (2012) versus 46.2 per 100,000 (2018) with trends towards later-stage diagnosis. In previous literature, breastfeeding has been assessed as a protective factor for breast cancer; however, the SA population experiences inconsistent breastfeeding trends, rates, and support services. Therefore, this study will evaluate the inverse association between breast cancer and breastfeeding history. Methods. Cases (breast cancer) and controls (mastalgia) were matched 1:1 on clinical visit from May-August 2019 at Groote Schuur Hospital (GSH) in Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa. Breastfeeding history, breast carcinoma diagnosis, and clinically relevant …

Practical Problems And Moral Discourses: An Ethnography Of Breastfeeding, Tara Ann Gallagher

Theses and Dissertations

Universal and bioactive, breastfeeding is a burgeoning biocultural topic because it incorporates biological and social determinants of human behavior. The topic has amassed media attention framed as part of a bigger imagining of motherhood as an idealized state directed at the female body’s performance. This paper questions media and public policy’s role in the dissemination of culture and the symbolic value of breastmilk. This study examines breastfeeding discourses through the lens of an American, mostly white, Midwestern middle-class social structure. Using participant observation data of two postpartum support groups and semi-structured interviews with six primiparous mothers, my data suggests that …

From Evidence To Practice: Promoting Continued And Exclusive Breastfeeding In Rural Eastern Uganda, Katherine Judge

College of Nursing and Health Sciences Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Project Publications

Purpose: Malnutrition is responsible for about one third of deaths globally among children under age five. Over 65% of these deaths, often associated with inappropriate feeding practices, occur during the first year of life and disproportionately affect those living in resource poor countries. Breastfeeding has been established as uniquely effective in providing infants with nutrients for healthy growth and development. Ugandan demographic surveys (2016) indicate less than 43% of infants age 4-5 months are breastfed.

Methods: The objective was to equip Community Health Educators (CHEs) with evidence-based practice guidelines for promoting continued exclusive breastfeeding to postpartum women. This project was …

Marketing Of (Bms): Content Analysis Of Breast Milk Substitutes Digital Marketing On Chinese E-Commerce Platforms, Shannon Han

Public Health Theses

Background: China has one of the largest and fastest-growing breast milk substitutes (BMS) industries and a disproportionately low exclusive breastfeeding rate. The rapid penetration of technology and the internet, together with convenience-oriented lifestyles, has led to the dominance of the e-commerce industry in China. Many BMS manufacturers have established e-commerce flagship stores and use them as main retail and marketing channels.

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the BMS retail websites on the largest business to consumer (B2C) e-commerce platform TMall, to characterize the marketing themes and strategies used to target consumers. It was specifically designed to improve our understanding …

Mothers' Knowledge, Clinic Staff, Community Support, And Breastfeeding Practices, Ubong Usua

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Among low-income mothers enrolled in the Women Infant and Child (WIC) program and Medicaid, the rate of initiating breastfeeding immediately after delivery is low (57%) compared to high-income mothers (74%). Among the many factors contributing to this are low-income mothers' poor knowledge of the benefits of breast-feeding and lack of support and encouragement from clinical staff, family, and community. However, few studies have singled out the role of community and family support in improving maternal knowledge and breastfeeding practices. Using the Theory of Planned Behavior framework, this quantitative study used WIC data from the Texas Department of Health and Human …

A Rural Mother's Guide To Breastfeeding, Haley Tillett

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Breastfeeding is considered as the gold standard of infant health (CDC, n.d.). The benefits provided to both the baby and mother by breastfeeding are unmatched when compared to formula feeding. Recent studies have shown a disparity in rates of breastfeeding, primarily in rural areas. This may be due, in part, to the fact that mothers in rural areas may not have equal access to resources and support they need to successfully breastfeed due to geographic isolation. This guide will provide an overview of breastfeeding resources in rural communities with a focus on Kittitas Valley, Washington. Resources include but are not …

Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex: A Narrative Inquiry Of Women's Experiences And Perceptions, Brandi Winchester

Online Theses and Dissertations

Background

Dysphoric milk ejection reflex is an idiopathic condition experienced by some breastfeeding women that is characterized by an abrupt experience of negative emotions or sensation prior to milk let-down. Many women struggle to make sense of the condition, and report barriers to communicating with others about their experiences and accessing support from healthcare providers. Dysphoric milk ejection reflex is often reported by women to impact self-efficacy and contribute to secondary psychological effects.

Research aim

Exploration of the experience of Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex. Investigation of the impact of diagnosis on the sense of wellness and self-efficacy of affected mothers. …

The Perceived Influence Of Grandparents’ Beliefs And Attitudes On Parents’ Breastfeeding Behaviour And Paediatric Vaccination Decisions, Shantha Premila Karthigesu

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Human infants are highly dependent on their parents for a prolonged period of time. The resources required to raise a child cannot be provided by biological parents alone and requires the assistance of others, usually relatives. Grandparents among them, have played the most significant role. With increased life expectancy in Western, educated, industrialised, rich and democratic (WEIRD) societies, grandparents have come to the forefront as informal childcare providers. Although the influence of a child’s social environment on health has been well-studied, the influence of grandparents, specifically in regard to breastfeeding remains inconclusive, while grandparental influence on paediatric vaccinations has not …

Implementing A Community-Based Breastfeeding And Infant Support Tent At University Of Arkansas Athletic Events, Moranda Clark

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Breastfeeding is such an important role in a mother and baby’s relationship as it establishes a unique bond while also providing health benefits for both parties involved. Unfortunately, many women are discriminated against for trying to breastfeed in public and with little to no designated breastfeeding areas or sanitary places in such spaces; they are left with very few viable options. During the last year I have been completing an internship surrounding the subject of breastfeeding and have helped to implement a breastfeeding and infant support tent at University of Arkansas athletic events. My work has included extensive research, lactation …