Lactation Services in the Pediatric Clinic: A Business Plan for Breastfeeding Support

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2013) indicates that nearly 40% of infants who are initially breastfed are no longer exclusively breastfed at three months. Discontinuation of breastfeeding during the first week of life is primarily attributed to feeding difficulties and at two weeks of life, the primary factor is the mother's concern that the infant is not getting enough milk (Wagner, Chantry, Dewey, & Nommsen-Rivers, 2013). Observing breastfeeding, providing assistance, educating about breastfeeding techniques, and addressing the mother's questions and concerns in the primary care provider office will facilitate exclusive breastfeeding. Mother's are not getting the assistance they need in the clinical setting to successfully breastfeed long enough to get all the benefits for both mom and baby. Support from the primary care provider has the potential to address the problems encountered during breastfeeding. The purpose of this scholarly project is to develop a business plan for the incorporation of breastfeeding support in the primary care setting. Addressing the breastfeeding needs of the mother and infant within the office allows for consistency of information, accessibility for the mother, reduces time lapses in care, fosters the establishment of rapport and provides ongoing evaluation. The objectives of this project were:  Create a business plan for establishing a breastfeeding clinic within an established pediatric clinic Incorporate evidence into the breastfeeding business plan  Present the business plan to health care providers in a pediatric clinic setting There is an overwhelming amount of literature to support the health benefits to the infant and mother as well as a cost savings to our country and the patient in direct and indirect medical expenses that come from breastfeeding. The American Academy of Pediatrics (2012) has stated that infant nutrition should be considered a public health issue and not a lifestyle choice. The gap occurs when the overwhelming knowledge and support are not translated into increased breastfeeding rates, a gap this project intends to address. This project was implemented by creating and presenting a business plan for establishing lactation services in a pediatric primary care setting. Collaboration with business professionals allowed for clarification of billing and reimbursement procedures. The business plan was evaluated for cost effectiveness, containment of evidence-based practice, and applicability to the primary care setting. Implementing breastfeeding support in the primary care setting can be challenging and requires collaboration and communication among multiple individuals within the clinic. Breastfeeding support is time intensive and creates complexity to scheduling and initial set-up costs. Based on findings from similar business plans and hypothesized results from implementation of this business plan, the initial investment can improve patient outcomes and create subsequent revenue for the clinic in follow-up visits and increase patient and parent satisfaction.