Improving Breastfeeding Training Among Post-Partum Nurses

Breastfeeding is the most optimal method of feeding an infant. Breastmilk provides essential nutrients to infants that formula cannot; these nutrients can protect against disease and death. Many health professionals lack the confidence, clinical competence, knowledge, and practice towards breastfeeding; current practice is not evidence-based but is rather dependent on experience. Rates of initiating and sustaining breastfeeding increases when nurses are properly trained. Current breastfeeding training for all newly hired nurses within MNBC involves shadowing a lactation specialist for a single shift.