Topic 6 DQ 2
Education is an essential part of nursing. My solution to increasing adherence to breastfeeding for at least the first six months of life is to increase education. More education towards mothers, physicians, and nurses is needed. My evidence-based research concludes that breastfeeding support is one if not the most important factors to adhering to breastfeeding. Initially I thought that education should be focused only on mothers, but I now see it requires collaboration. It should not be just limited to the actual breastfeeding process with mother and baby but should start during the prenatal period. Education on breastfeeding resources is also vital. When patients and nurses are educated on the benefits of breastfeeding, they are more likely to support and initiate this. There are many easy practices that can also increase the rates of breastfeeding such as skin to skin contact.
Mother-infant skin to skin contact right after birth has positive effects on successful breastfeeding and duration (Karimi, et al., 2019). This is a practice that does not require much effort, will help the infant regulate skin temperature, help with comfort, allow for the infant to find the breast on their own and increase mother’s self-efficacy. The breastfeeding clinic where I am doing my clinicals also provide hospital tours, breastfeeding and baby care classes. These classes can help with a mother’s anxiety about delivery and focus more on feeding their child. Brochures are sent to all OB doctors to provide pregnant women with information about these classes and the breastfeeding help available after delivery. The doctors can initiate handing over these brochures to simply spark interest in the patients and maybe attend classes. The nurses can be educated on initiating breastfeeding and helping mothers with questions, latching, pumping etc. This also includes not offering formula right away. Research has shown that factors such as lack of support, low self-efficacy, and hospital formula samples among other factors hinder breastfeeding (Snyder et al., 2021).
My direction changed a bit after seeing patients come into the clinic requesting breastfeeding help. Many mentioned first hearing about the clinic when the lactation nurse visited them after they had given birth. Other mothers who desired to breastfeed said they were provided with formula right after they asked for it because they were unsure if their baby was getting enough breastmilk. This is a problem for better educated nurses could better educate patients that milk does not come in until the 3rd to 5th day, they could have helped identify the challenge and help with latching. At their OB office, brochures would work best if handed over to mothers and explained instead of just having them out on shelves for whoever wants one. Finally, my personal experience also contributed for I faced many challenges with my first baby, I was provided formula, but truly wanted to breastfeed. With my second child, I had a better idea of my available resources and did so much better. Wish every mother could have the same knowledge about resources and that nurses felt more competent in helping mothers.
Now that you have completed a series of assignments that have led you into the active project planning and development stage for your project, briefly describe your proposed solution to address the problem, issue, suggestion, initiative, or educational need and how it has changed since you first envisioned it. What led to your current perspective and direction?
Using 200-300 words APA format with at least two references. Sources must be published within the last 5 years. There should be a mix between research and your reflections. Add critical thinking in the posts along with research. Apply the material in a substantial way
