Nursing Midwifery Commons^™

Breastfeeding Promotion For Infants With Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (Nas), Olivia Czerwonka

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is the exposure in utero to drugs with the incidence in the United States increasing from 4 to 6.3 per 1000 births (Wei et al., 2023). The purpose of this quality improvement project was to implement a breastfeeding support intervention to increase breastfeeding frequency and reduce hospital length of stay of newborns with NAS. A tailored multicomponent guideline based upon the current Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding as established by WHO and UNICEF (2017) was implemented. Mothers of infants diagnosed with NAS were recruited using convenience sampling from a Northwest Indiana Hospital. Key stakeholders within the …

The Effect Of Midwife-Led Continuous Labor Support Care On Delivery Mode And Timely Initiation Of Breastfeeding In Primigravida Women In Northwest Ethiopia: A Hybrid Type I Implementation Study, Mengstu Melkamu Asaye, Aragaw, Eden Bishaw Taye, Kihinetu Gelaye Wudineh, Sara Bayes

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Midwife-led continuous labor and childbirth support reduces the episiotomy rate and increases the rates of vaginal delivery and early initiation of breastfeeding. However, no studies have yet been conducted in Ethiopia. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of midwife-led continuous labor and childbirth support. A quasi-experimental study involving 419 primigravida women compared an intervention given by trained midwives at two hospitals to routine at two others. Data were collected from July to December 2024 through interviews and record reviews. The McNemar test was used to compare changes, with a p-value of less than 0.05. Midwife-led continuous labor support increased …

Exploration Of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses’ Perception Of Barriers To Promoting And Supporting Breastfeeding In Primary Care, Devon L. Stubblefield, Allison L. Scott, Carmel Kruse, Marilou D. Shreve, Hope A. Ballentine

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing DNP Capstone Projects

Background: Breastfeeding is the biological way to provide active and passive immunity, as well as necessary nutrients, to infants while concurrently providing multiple health benefits for mothers. Even though evidence is readily available to support the argument to breastfeed, United States’ breastfeeding rates fall below Healthy People 2030 goals. Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) in primary care settings are in a prime position to give education and create care plans to support breastfeeding mothers to improve breastfeeding rates but literature supports APRNs lack confidence to do so. An APRN is likely to defer care to another provider to address …

A Brief History Of Antenatal Colostrum Expression, And Where To From Here, Therese A. O’Sullivan, Connie N. Ihlein

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The practice of antenatal colostrum expression (ACE), or the extraction of colostrum from the breasts during pregnancy, has an interesting history and continues to evolve. This narrative review aims to describe how perception and practices of ACE have changed over time, summarise the evidence on ACE in maternal and infant care, and highlight areas for future research. The literature demonstrates that ACE is safe for low-risk women when done from around 36 weeks’ gestation. Women should be reassured that the skill of hand expressing is a valuable tool post-birth, regardless of whether they are able to collect colostrum antenatally or …

Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative: Becoming Baby-Friendly Designated, Krystal Angelique Mora

Master's Projects and Capstones

Section I: Abstract

Problem Despite efforts to increase breastfeeding rates, the influence of formula companies has contributed to the decrease in rates, affecting the health outcomes of infants. In response, the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) introduced standardized education for nursing staff to support infant growth and development. Context Hospital A Birth Center is a 33-bed culturally diverse unit that provides care to mothers in Northern California, delivering approximately 7,400 babies each year and helping patients transition into motherhood. Aim The quality improvement project aims to enhance the retention of BFHI-aligned education provided during hospitalization by 26.2%, raising retention rates among …

Factors Influencing Colostrum Avoidance In Developing Countries: Insights From A Literature Review, Muhammad Zeeshan Aslam, Jonathan Johnson, Marina Baig, Abeer Musaddique

Journal of Asian Midwives (JAM)

Introduction: Colostrum is a thick, sticky, clear and yellowish-coloured milk produced after the first few hours of birth until day 3. It consists of vitamin A, proteins, lipids, potassium, and maternal antibodies, including lactoferrin, immunoglobulin, growth factors and antimicrobial factors. Colostrum avoidance is the practice of squeezing out, pumping, and discarding the first milk. Various studies have reported colostrum avoidance worldwide, but its prevalence is higher in developing countries. Every day, approximately 3000 to 4000 infants die due to diarrhea and respiratory infections in developing countries, and one of the leading causes is colostrum avoidance. Infants are unable to take …

Kolcaba’S Comfort Theory: A Framework For Understanding The Significance Of Skin-To-Skin Care After Childbirth, Aqsa Nizar Ali

Journal of Asian Midwives (JAM)

Despite the WHO recommendations and evidenced-based results of skin-to-skin contact, it is quite an uncommon practice witnessed after childbirth. Compared to research conducted in low and middle-income nations, the majority of the studies conducted in high-income countries revealed greater rates of SSC [11]. Skin-to-skin contact, a nurturing practice, has gained significant recognition as a cornerstone of early infant care. Beyond its physiological benefits, skin-to-skin contact fosters a profound sense of comfort and connection between mother and infant. Kolcaba's theory of comfort, a comprehensive framework for understanding and promoting comfort, provides a valuable lens to explore the multifaceted benefits of skin-to-skin …

Evaluation Of Breastfeeding Interventions To Improve Duration In Women At Risk For Breastfeeding Attrition, Anthonia Anukam

The Corinthian

Children that are optimally breastfed have the healthiest start in life. The World Health Organization and the CDC recommend that mothers optimally breastfeed. Benefits of breastfeeding to children include the receipt of antibodies, reduction of ear, respiratory, and gastrointestinal infections, decreased sudden infant death syndrome, allergies, diabetes, and childhood leukemia. Several research studies have reported a strong positive correlation between breastfeeding and reduced infant morbidity and mortality. Evidence illustrates that the health benefits from breastfeeding are dose-dependent, thus the longer the breastfeeding duration the greater the acquisition of the enumerated benefits. However, premature cessation of breastfeeding less than the WHO …

Nursing Care Regarding Social Determinants Of Health For Breastfeeding In Mothers And Infants, Natalie Jefson

Senior Honors Theses

Breastfeeding is incredibly important to the health and well-being of the mother-infant dyad. Because of this, there are both world-wide and national recommendations and guidelines for breastfeeding in the United States. Although many women choose to initiate breastfeeding, the percentage of women who continue breastfeeding for the recommended duration does not meet the Healthy People goal for the United States. Many factors influence this early breastfeeding cessation, including physical and socioeconomic barriers. Certain populations face increased barriers to reaching these goals related to social determinants of health which can and should be addressed by nurses through preventive measures and education.

Study Protocol For A Stepped-Wedge Cluster (Nested) Randomized Controlled Trial Of Antenatal Colostrum Expression (Ace) Instruction In First-Time Mothers: The Ace Study, Cassandra Cuffe, Roslyn Giglia, Matthew N. Cooper, Julie Hill, Desiree Silva, Anita M. Moorhead, Valerie Verhasselt, Joshua R. Lewis, Deborah Ireson, Jill R. Demirci, Talea Cotte, Kathryn Webb, Frances Patey, Therese A. O’Sullivan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Although many mothers initiate breastfeeding, supplementation with human-milk substitutes (formula) during the birth hospitalization is common and has been associated with early breastfeeding cessation. Colostrum hand expressed in the last few weeks before birth, known as antenatal colostrum expression (ACE), can be used instead of human-milk substitutes. However, evidence is lacking on the efficacy of ACE on breastfeeding outcomes and in non-diabetic mothers. Methods and Planned Analysis: This multicenter stepped-wedge cluster (nested) randomized controlled trial aims to recruit 945 nulliparous pregnant individuals. The trial is conducted in two phases. During Phase 1, control group participants are under standard care. …

Western Australian Mothers' Experiences Of Breastfeeding Support In Hospital After Birth: A Mixed Methods Study, Justine Van Der Watt

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Background: The benefits of breastfeeding are well established for infants, mothers and the community, with the World Health Organisation recommending that infants be exclusively breastfed up to six months of age with an achievable goal of 70% globally. Yet in Australia only 15-37% may be reaching that goal. There have also been reported benefits and desires for mothers to be supported with their breastfeeding in order to increase and prolong breastfeeding duration and exclusivity, especially early after birth. However, there is limited research or literature exploring what experiences mothers are having with breastfeeding support, especially during their hospital admissions in …

Breastfeeding In Public: A Review Of Literature And Service Learning Experience, Taylor Jehlik, Makenzie Carney

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

This article explores the perceptions and beliefs of first-time expectant mothers, their family members, and their social network about breastfeeding in public places. We used experience through Tiny Tusks and reviewed literature to get a better understanding of what social factors play a role in mothers' decisions to breastfeed in public.

Making Breastfeeding Easier With Clinician Support, Katherine Laney

MSN Capstone Projects

This benchmark project provides a template for how to implement clinician support and education in an organization with obstetric and pediatric clinics and a hospital based on the PICOT: In first-time breastfeeding mothers (P), how does clinician driven support and education during the perinatal period (I) compared to no clinician assistance (C) affect the rate of continued breastfeeding (O) within the first 3 months postpartum (T). Research demonstrates that increased clinician support and education provided to the mothers during the perinatal period increases breastfeeding rates and self-efficacy. The project would initially last for approximately 12 weeks and follow women from …

The Effects Of Early Lactation Support On Breastfeeding Exclusivity Rates, Alexa Fleming

Dissertations

Abstract

Problem Breastfeeding exclusively for the first 6 months of a child’s life is the recommendation across medical professionals. Unfortunately, exclusive breastfeeding rates are on the decline due to insufficient support, lack of self-efficacy and inadequate hospital interventions.

Methods For this quality improvement (QI) project, a descriptive observational study design was used to identify appropriate participants who were planning to have a full-term, healthy, exclusively breastfed newborn. Within one hour after delivery, a lactation specialist provided the mother with breastfeeding education and assistance with the initial latching process. At the time of discharge, data was collected to examine if the …

Prenatal Education For Black Mothers And Their Support Persons As An Intervention For Improving Initiation Of Breastfeeding, Sandra King

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: The benefits of breastfeeding are commonly known; however, the rates of exclusive breastfeeding among the Black community are less than those of other ethnic groups. Providing breastmilk or formula to an infant is an individual decision. Influential factors such as cultural background, employment status, socioeconomic status, level of education, and availability of support from family members and health care providers correlate with the method a mother chooses to feed her infant. Increasing breastfeeding initiation immediately after birth is a necessary precedent for uptake in the exclusivity of breastfeeding.

Purpose: This Doctor of Nursing Practice project aims to improve prenatal …

Tiny Tusks Internship And Electronic Application Use Among Breastfeeding Mothers, Amanda Herman

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

The United States (U.S.) lags behind most of the world in terms of breastfeeding rates despite all the research supporting the numerous benefits for both mother and baby. That said, the majority of the U.S. population also utilizes mobile health and internet for information on health illnesses and promotion. This paper synthesizes available statistics concerning mobile application usage and breastfeeding mothers. The objective was to determine why apps are utilized, general opinions of the apps, and the benefits and drawbacks of using such technology.

Tiny Tusks Internship: Barriers To Breastfeeding, Cameron Watson

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Tiny Tusks Breastfeeding and Infant Support Internship allows students to gain insight on breastfeeding practices through volunteering at University of Arkansas sporting events. Therefore, I chose to review prevalent barriers to breastfeeding that mothers in the United States face. These mothers were at least one of these: Hispanic, Marshallese, African American, disabled, employed, a veteran, living in a rural area, or a woman of the general American population. This topic is relevant because of the many benefits that breastfeeding provides for both the baby and the mother.

Tiny Tusks Internship: The Effect Of Health Care Providers' Education And Attitudes Toward Breastfeeding On The Mother's Decision To Breastfeed, Jocelyn Clark

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

There is a stigma surrounding breastfeeding in the public community, places of employment, and health care facilities. This paper focuses on the impact health care workers have on the mother's decision to breastfeed her infant, and her ability to continue breastfeeding as the primary source of infant nutrition. This paper includes experiences from an internship with Tiny Tusks, which provides breastfeeding support to mothers in the Northwest Arkansas area. Tiny Tusks allows for a better understanding of the community's breastfeeding needs and provides support to breastfeeding mothers in order to reduce the stigma associated with breastfeeding. In health care environments, …

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 …

Standardizing Assessment And Management Of Ankyloglossia, Marcia Nicole Cowen

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Ankyloglossia, which is characterized by a short, tight or thick lingual frenulum, can negatively impact breastfeeding. It has been recognized as a problem for centuries. Frenotomies have traditionally been performed to remove the lingual frenulum when indicated. The use of frenotomies and a focus on ankyloglossia fell out of favor in the twentieth century with renewed attention in the past several decades. Limited high-quality studies have been undertaken on ankyloglossia. There remains no standardized diagnosis or management recommendations. In efforts to promote a standardized approach that is based on current knowledge, this study will involve an educational in-service on ankyloglossia, …

Reflections: Bravo Breastfeeding Mother! A Covid Positive Mother And Midwifery Instinct, Rafat Jan

Journal of Asian Midwives (JAM)

No abstract provided.

Lowering Antibiotic Resistance Utilizing Breastmilk, Moriah J. Harris

Honors College Theses

Antibiotic resistance is considered an emerging crisis in the healthcare world. This crisis has the potential to cause many bacterial diseases that cannot be cured using antibiotic drugs, which can lead to serious infections and death. There have been numerous studies that have found that sugars, proteins and protein-lipid complexes in breastmilk have antimicrobial properties. It has been proposed that these properties in breastmilk can help solve the antibacterial resistance crisis. This research project involved studying antibiotic resistance and how breastmilk can help solve this increasingly prevalent problem.

The implementation step of this research project involved a PowerPoint presentation detailing …

The Benefits Of Breastfeeding, Annagrace E. Anderson

Senior Honors Theses

Breast milk is the gold standard for infant nutrition. In the past, infant formula was promoted as equal or superior to breast milk. However, research has shown that breastfeeding is the superior form of infant nutrition except in rare circumstances. Breast milk provides for all of a newborn’s caloric needs and has the correct balance of nutrients to promote proper development. In addition, breast milk provides protection against illnesses, supports an infant’s immune system, and promotes life-long health for the newborn. Mothers also experience personal benefits by breastfeeding such as decreased cancer risks, bonding with their babies, and faster postpartum …

Opening Up About Birth: An Autoethnographic Account Of Prolonged Labour, Petra B. Elias

The Qualitative Report

A woman’s first pregnancy can be both emotionally exciting and daunting. There are many changes to make, but there is little emotional support to adjust to the role, the focus being on the physical process which is most often managed medically (Spear, 2008; Zasloff, Schytt, & Waldenström, 2007) though warnings about what could occur are not routinely told (Kaitz, 2007, pp. 720-721). This paper presents an autoethnographic story of first time pregnancy and the unfolding labour. The methodology of autoethnography is a useful tool for conveying stories of lived experience at a level of detail often previously unrecorded, evoking for …

Breastfeeding Effects With Early Intervention For Ankyloglossia (Tongue-Tie), Hope L. Adams

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Anklyoglossia or tongue-tie in infants often goes undiagnosed primarily due to the lack of knowledge for assessing tongue-tie thus disrupting a successful breastfeeding experience. Education, diagnosis, and treatment of ankyloglossia are vital in order to create a successful breastfeeding outcome. Purpose: To determine the effects of breastfeeding with early intervention for ankyloglossia (tongue-tie). Theoretical/Conceptual Framework: Benner’s concept of Novice to Expert allows nurses to develop skills over time through education and personal experiences. Weidenbach’s concept of The Helping Art of Clinical Nursing applies to direct patient care, teaching, and advice. Methods: Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature …

The Benefits Of Breastfeeding, Helen L. Byers

Senior Honors Theses

It is important to educate women of childbearing age, their families, and society of the benefits that breastfeeding has over bottle-feeding and formula-feeding. The benefits of breastfeeding are in three main categories. First, the developmental, physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits of the baby will be discussed. Then the physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits for the mother will be talked about along with possible contraindications or difficulties. Finally, the financial benefits of breastfeeding over feeding an infant from the bottle will be discussed as it relates to the family and government. The goal is to persuade that breastfeeding is a superior …

The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative, Kathryn E. Brackett

Senior Honors Theses

Abstract

The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) is a worldwide movement started by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) that is aimed at providing hospitals with a certification that guarantees the best possible patient-centered care for mothers and infants. It focuses on breastfeeding as optimal infant nutrition, and implements strategies to encourage and support mothers to breastfeed their infants exclusively for six months after birth. The Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding are a set of 10 simple, easy to understand guidelines developed by WHO and UNICEF for implementing this initiative in the hospital setting and …

The Benefits Of Breastfeeding, Avery Kordus

Senior Honors Theses

Breastfeeding research is plentiful, and the majority of the literature shows that breast milk is the superior form of infant nutrition except in the rare circumstances of infant metabolic disorders, maternal drug use, or positive HIV status. In comparison to formula, breast milk provides improved cognition, development, behavior, bonding, nutrition, digestion, immunity, and long-term health with fewer diseases and conditions in infants. Mothers are benefited by breastfeeding through bonding, faster weight loss, and reduction in certain cancers and conditions. Breast milk contains the proper amount of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals, and is also specialized for each infant and …

The Factors That Influence Duration Of Exclusive Breastfeeding: A Mixed Methods Design, Roxanne K. Bowman

Theses and Dissertations--Nursing

Breastfeeding is the gold standard of infant feeding and its benefits extend beyond the mother and child. Multiple organizations recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of an infant’s life. Exclusive breastfeeding rates nationally and in the state of Kentucky fall below the Healthy People 2020 goals. A mother’s intention to breastfeed has been shown to impact actual breastfeeding behavior. The current state of the measurement of intention was explored through a literature review. A majority of the measures were single item scales. The reliability and validity of the scales should be further tested in diverse populations.

The purposes …

Bottle-Feeding Mothers' Experiences Of Coping In A Pro-Breastfeeding Context : The Case For A Caring-Options-Responsive Model Of Midwifery Services, Elizabeth P. Duffy

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The original contribution of this qualitative study is that it sketches the front-line of the contested domain of infant feeding choices by exploring the under-researched experiences and perceptions of mothers who actively choose to bottle-feed their babies. Twelve bottle-feeding mothers in Western Australia participated in open-ended, in-depth interviews. The interview findings were further explored using participant observations of relevant hospital practices and critical, hermeneutic re-readings of midwifery's professional and policy documents. The thesis argues that bottle-feeding is marginalised by the midwifery profession that currently defines its practices in accordance with policies such as the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative. Bottle-feeding mothers …