Lactation Consultant's Effects on Maternal Mental Health

This project researched and commented on the important role that lactation consultants play on a mother's emotional well-being. The research has shown that specialized psychological, physical and informational support from a lactation consultant can have extremely positive effects on a mother's well-being, breastfeeding self-efficacy and newborn wellness.

Lactation Consultant’s Effects on Maternal Mental Health Taylor Brewer Background • • • • Breastmilk and colostrum contain essential fats, proteins, minerals, vitamins, carbohydrates, antibodies, water, and hormones for newborns (1) Breastfeeding is the cornerstone of child survival, nutrition and development and maternal health (2) Many women experience guilt and shame when breastfeeding challenges arise (3) Support and education from lactation consultants has shown to decrease anxiety and depression in mothers (4) Problem Investigation 1. Only two lactation consultants on day shifts 2. Only ~30% of postpartum mothers receive specialized support from a consultant (5) 3. No lactation consultants on night shift 4. Floor nurses feel they lack the proper breastfeeding training (6) Proposed Interventions Using best practice evidence, a new protocol is proposed to increase the number of patients that receive lactation support from a specialist. A third specialist will be hired for the day shifts as well as one specialist for night shifts. If funds are not yet available for this change, training should be provided for floor nurses to supplement teaching when Lactation Consultants cannot be available. These changes will increase breastfeeding self-efficacy, improve maternal well-being and place less strain on current lactation consultants.(6) Resources PICOT Question For the mothers on the Intermountain Medical Center Maternal Newborn Care unit, how does a minimum of one thirty-minute visit with a lactation specialist, as compared to minimal/no lactation care, affect the patient's emotional status over the six-week recovery period? 1. Jenness R. (1979). The composition of human milk. Seminars in perinatology, 3(3), 225–239. 2. World Health Organization. (2017). Guideline: protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding in facilities providing maternity and newborn services. 3. Thomson, G., Ebisch-Burton, K., & Flacking, R. (2015). Shame if you do-shame if you don't: women's experiences of infant feeding. Maternal & child nutrition, 11(1), 33–46. https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.12148 4. Keim, S. A., Jackson, J. L., Litteral, J. L., Schofield, K. A., & Crerand, C. E. (2021). Perceptions about lactation consultant support, breastfeeding experiences and postpartum psychosocial outcomes. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 25(3), 497–506. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-020-03056-5 5. Brewer, T. (2021). Personal Survey. Unpublished raw data. 6. Patel, S. and Patel, S. (2015). The effectiveness of lactation consultants and lactation counselors on breastfeeding outcomes. Journal of Human Lactation, 32(3). https://doi.org/10.1177/0890334415618668 COLLEGE OF NURSING