Leading Lactation Insights - September 2023
Leading Lactation Insights is a monthly newsletter, which features factual and scientific information with no product promotion. It covers cutting-edge breastfeeding & lactation research, clinical news, and expert insights for IBCLCs, lactation consultants, and maternal health professionals.
- Opioid Use Disorder During Breastfeeding Philip O. Anderson/June 2023 Update regarding breastfeeding following buprenorphine or methadone maintenance during pregnancy.
- New Information on Antivirals and Breastfeeding Philip O. Anderson/June 2023 Examination of case studies of prophylaxis antiviral therapy during pregnancy and breastfeeding for HIV, Hepatitis C, and COVID-19.
- Associations Between Breastfeeding and Post-perinatal Infant Deaths in the U.S. Julie L. Ware, MD, MPH…/May 2023
- Promotion, Protection, and Support of Breastfeeding as a Human Right: A Narrative Review Trina Van MD…/August 2023
- Breastfeeding Disparities During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Race/Ethnicity, Age, Education, and Insurance Payor Kiran McCloskey…/July 2023
- U.S. Breastfeeding Outcomes at the Intersection: Differences in Duration Among Racial and Ethnic Groups with Varying Educational Attainment in a Nationally Representative Sample Margaret S. Butler, MA…/July 2023
PROFESSIONAL RESOURCES
Leading Lactation Insights
As you know, Leading Lactation Insights is a newsletter we distribute monthly. It features factual and scientific information with no product promotion. It covers cutting-edge breastfeeding & lactation research, clinical news, and expert insights for IBCLCs, lactation consultants, and maternal health professionals. Did you know that you can subscribe to this valuable newsletter and have it sent to your inbox? Click here to subscribe today!
Did You Know
As the healthcare choice for more than 6 million hospitals and homes across the globe, Medela provides leading research-based breast milk feeding and baby products, healthcare solutions for hospitals, and clinical education.
As your trusted partner, Medela is committed to supporting, promoting and providing the latest breastfeeding research through comprehensive education. Our free evidence-based online courses and live monthly webinars are designed to impact and improve practice. These education courses and live monthly webinars offer Nursing Contact Hours.
We recently released three free eLearning courses. This series aims to develop an understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the lactating breast to drive timely and effective secretory activation to establish a copious milk supply through lactation best practices.
As a special offer to Medela customers, we are offering these courses in the universal SCORM format that can be loaded into your hospital’s learning management system to help document breastfeeding competencies and manage breastfeeding education compliance. These three courses are the first of many we will offer in this format over the coming months. Contact your local sales representative today for more details and find out how your facility can save money providing this free, evidence-based education!
Perinatal Transmission of HIV: Update to HHS Guidelines
Maria Lennon, MSN, CNM, IBCLC
There is a great deal of updated information from The Panel on Treatment of HIV in Pregnancy and Prevention of Perinatal Transmission. The Panel has updated text and references throughout the guidelines to include new data and publications.
Recommendations for the Use of Antiretroviral Drugs in Pregnant Women with HIV Infection and Interventions to reduce Perinatal HIV Transmission in the United States:
https://clinicalinfo.hiv.gov/en/guidelines/perinatal/infant-feeding-individuals-hiv-united-states.
What’s New in the Guidelines:
https://clinicalinfo.hiv.gov/en/guidelines/perinatal/whats-new.
General Principles Regarding the Use of Antiretroviral Drugs During Pregnancy: Teratogenicity
https://clinicalinfo.hiv.gov/en/guidelines/perinatal/recommendations-arv-drugs-pregnancy-teratogenicity.
Recommendations for the Use of Antiretroviral Drugs During Pregnancy: Overview
https://clinicalinfo.hiv.gov/en/guidelines/perinatal/recommendations-arv-drugs-pregnancy-overview
Intrapartum Care for Women with HIV
https://clinicalinfo.hiv.gov/en/guidelines/perinatal/intrapartum-care
Management of Infants Born to Women with HIV Infection: Antiretroviral Management of Newborns with Perinatal HIV Exposure or HIV Infection
https://clinicalinfo.hiv.gov/en/guidelines/perinatal/management-infants-arv-hiv-exposure-infection
Infographic:
https://hivinfo.nih.gov/understanding-hiv/infographics/protecting-baby-hiv.
The Well Project is a non-profit organization whose mission is to change the course of the HIV/AIDS pandemic by focusing on women and girls across the gender spectrum. This resource is designed specifically for women and provides tools so they can thrive while living with HIV. This project presents the HIV Treatment Guidelines for Pregnant Women and Their Infants in an easily readable and understandable format and even has a downloadable slide presentation on the topic. The website contains fact sheets from both the United States and United Kingdom and lists a number of resources that all women may find helpful.
https://www.thewellproject.org/hiv-information/hiv-treatment-guidelines-pregnant-people-and-their-infants.
Meet Our Education & Clinical Services Team
Angela Lang, DNP-CNS, RN, C-ONQS, CNL, IBCLC
Medela has been providing our customers with evidence-based education since 2006. We would like you to meet our team!
Our team is led by Angela Lang, DNP-CNS, RN, C-ONQS, CNL, IBCLC. Angela Lang serves as Director of Medical Affairs and Lactation Science for Medela LLC, overseeing education program development and all clinical training for healthcare providers. In this role, she directs a team of clinical healthcare professionals in representing Medela in lactation, baby nutrition and clinical practice affairs.
Through her career, Angela has been an advocate for improving breastfeeding to better maternal and infant health outcomes. She has served as the clinical nurse manager for labor and delivery at Rush Copley Medical Center in Aurora, Illinois, as well as the Manager of Nursing Education, Professional Development & Magnet Program at Advocate Aurora Health in West Allis, Wisconsin. She was a state-level leader for AWHONN and the Wisconsin Association of Lactation Consultants, and has supported clinicians with breastfeeding and maternal HIV education on four medical trips to Africa.
Angela received both her Doctor of Nursing Practice-Clinical Nurse Specialist Maternal Infant and Bachelor of Science in Nursing from University of Wisconsin and received a secondary Bachelor of Science in Maternal Child Health-Lactation Consulting from Union Institute and University.
Kathleen Quellen, RN, BSN, CBC
Kathleen Quellen, RN, BSN, CBC is the Clinical Education Manager for Medela supporting the Western United States. Kathleen has been a Registered Nurse working in Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care since 1981. Kathy started her career in New Jersey at NJ United Children’s Hospital but spent most of her career at Georgetown University Medical Center specializing in Pediatric and Neonatal CCU and critical care transport. Kathy was also a traveling nurse working all across the United States in NICU and PICU care.
In the late 90’s Kathy transitioned into education working for Abbott Laboratories as a Clinical Educator for their hospital products division, teaching medication management systems with smart IV pumps. After transitioning into hospital sales for Abbott and covering Washington DC area for several years, she moved into the role of Clinical Project Management for the implementation of IT based smart pump systems for hospitals throughout the United States.
Kathy joined the Medela team 9 years ago as a Clinical NICU Specialist/Educator covering the Western United States and supporting customers in their journey with all things human milk.
Jenny Murray, BSN, RN, IBCLC
Jenny Murray, BSN, RN, IBCLC is the Clinical Education Manager supporting North America. Responsible for providing clinical
expertise on the delivery of neonatal, newborn and pediatric nutrition, as well as maternal lactation, Jenny presents the science to both clinical audiences and new parents.
With more than 20 years’ experience as a neonatal nurse, Jenny has served in a variety of nursing leadership roles within the NICU. These experiences fostered her love for education and research, with a special interest in supporting clinicians to advance the innovative world of neonatology.
Jenny holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Baylor University. She was inducted into Tenet’s Hero Hall of Fame in 2015 and featured in the American Hospital Association publication for her leadership, clinical expertise and deep connections with family during and after their infants’ stay. She received the Excellence in Nursing Award from D Magazine in 2016.
Jenny lives in Melissa, TX, with her husband and two children. She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, reading, and volunteering at her church.
Jess Sember, MSN, RN, IBCLC, CPLC, CCE, SBD
Jess Sember, MSN, RN, IBCLC, CPLC, CCE, SBD is the Clinical Education Manager supporting across the Americas. In her current role, she provides clinical insight, evidence-based research, and education to guide best practice for Medela, as well as healthcare professionals and families to assist with meeting their human milk goals.
Before joining Medela, Jess spent more than 15 years in healthcare, starting her nursing career as a labor and delivery nurse. Throughout her career she has worked as a lactation consultant for NICU, postpartum and post discharge patients, served as a
childbirth educator, research coordinator, and also as a nurse leader coordinating Perinatal Education and Perinatal Bereavement programs. Education and perinatal bereavement are areas of special interest to Jess; who is passionate about helping patients in their time of need.
Jess is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and holds certifications as a Childbirth Educator, Perinatal Loss Care Provider, and Still Birthday Doula. She received her BSN from Mansfield University of Pennsylvania and MSN from American Sentinel University.
Kimberly Colburn, BPC
Kimberly Colburn, BPC serves as Medela’s Medical Education Specialist. She oversees the Education website, as well as our monthly Leading Lactation Insights newsletter. Additionally, Kimberly manages Medela’s attendance at conferences and exhibits throughout the Americas region for the Human Milk and Wound Care business units. She also enjoys hosting the monthly Education and Clinical Services webinars, where she interacts with a range of healthcare professionals, lactation experts, and industry thought leaders.
Kimberly began her Medela career as a temporary employee in 1991 and was then officially hired in March 1992. She has since worked in our Production, Shipping, Customer Service, Reception, Training, and Education departments and has greatly enjoyed her vast experience with Medela through the years.
In 1994, Kimberly received her Emergency Medical Technician certification. She also completed Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Training through Rush University Medical Center in 2014 and graduated with an Associate’s in Applied Science Business
Management through McHenry County College in 2015.
Kimberly resides in Lake in the Hills with her husband. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling the world, and being an auntie to two adorable nephews!
Breastfeeding Promotion, Protection, and Support: Why We Do It and Why It’s So Hard to Do.Jenny Thomas, MD., MPH, IBCLC, FAAP, FABM Wednesday, September 20
|
Is Hands-Free In-Bra Pumping Effective?Donna Geddes, Professor, DMU, PostGrad DIP (Sci), Ph.D. Wednesday, October 18
|
Consensus Statement/Early Effective Initiation for Mothers with Risk FactorsJessica Brumley, CNM, Ph.D. Wednesday, December 6
|
Starting January 2024, we will be moving our live webinars to Tuesdays.
Prematurity Awareness/NeonatologyRebecca Hoban, MD, MPH Wednesday, January 9
|
2023 Webinar Schedule
The 2023 Human Milk Monthly Clinical Education Webinar Schedule is now available! Download your copy today!
- Opioid Use Disorder During Breastfeeding Philip O. Anderson/June 2023 Update regarding breastfeeding following buprenorphine or methadone maintenance during pregnancy.
- New Information on Antivirals and Breastfeeding Philip O. Anderson/June 2023 Examination of case studies of prophylaxis antiviral therapy during pregnancy and breastfeeding for HIV, Hepatitis C, and COVID-19.
- Associations Between Breastfeeding and Post-perinatal Infant Deaths in the U.S. Julie L. Ware, MD, MPH…/May 2023
- Promotion, Protection, and Support of Breastfeeding as a Human Right: A Narrative Review Trina Van MD…/August 2023
- Breastfeeding Disparities During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Race/Ethnicity, Age, Education, and Insurance Payor Kiran McCloskey…/July 2023
- U.S. Breastfeeding Outcomes at the Intersection: Differences in Duration Among Racial and Ethnic Groups with Varying Educational Attainment in a Nationally Representative Sample Margaret S. Butler, MA…/July 2023
PROFESSIONAL RESOURCES
Leading Lactation Insights
As you know, Leading Lactation Insights is a newsletter we distribute monthly. It features factual and scientific information with no product promotion. It covers cutting-edge breastfeeding & lactation research, clinical news, and expert insights for IBCLCs, lactation consultants, and maternal health professionals. Did you know that you can subscribe to this valuable newsletter and have it sent to your inbox? Click here to subscribe today!
Did You Know
As the healthcare choice for more than 6 million hospitals and homes across the globe, Medela provides leading research-based breast milk feeding and baby products, healthcare solutions for hospitals, and clinical education.
As your trusted partner, Medela is committed to supporting, promoting and providing the latest breastfeeding research through comprehensive education. Our free evidence-based online courses and live monthly webinars are designed to impact and improve practice. These education courses and live monthly webinars offer Nursing Contact Hours.
We recently released three free eLearning courses. This series aims to develop an understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the lactating breast to drive timely and effective secretory activation to establish a copious milk supply through lactation best practices.
As a special offer to Medela customers, we are offering these courses in the universal SCORM format that can be loaded into your hospital’s learning management system to help document breastfeeding competencies and manage breastfeeding education compliance. These three courses are the first of many we will offer in this format over the coming months. Contact your local sales representative today for more details and find out how your facility can save money providing this free, evidence-based education!
Perinatal Transmission of HIV: Update to HHS Guidelines
Maria Lennon, MSN, CNM, IBCLC
There is a great deal of updated information from The Panel on Treatment of HIV in Pregnancy and Prevention of Perinatal Transmission. The Panel has updated text and references throughout the guidelines to include new data and publications.
Recommendations for the Use of Antiretroviral Drugs in Pregnant Women with HIV Infection and Interventions to reduce Perinatal HIV Transmission in the United States:
https://clinicalinfo.hiv.gov/en/guidelines/perinatal/infant-feeding-individuals-hiv-united-states.
What’s New in the Guidelines:
https://clinicalinfo.hiv.gov/en/guidelines/perinatal/whats-new.
General Principles Regarding the Use of Antiretroviral Drugs During Pregnancy: Teratogenicity
https://clinicalinfo.hiv.gov/en/guidelines/perinatal/recommendations-arv-drugs-pregnancy-teratogenicity.
Recommendations for the Use of Antiretroviral Drugs During Pregnancy: Overview
https://clinicalinfo.hiv.gov/en/guidelines/perinatal/recommendations-arv-drugs-pregnancy-overview
Intrapartum Care for Women with HIV
https://clinicalinfo.hiv.gov/en/guidelines/perinatal/intrapartum-care
Management of Infants Born to Women with HIV Infection: Antiretroviral Management of Newborns with Perinatal HIV Exposure or HIV Infection
https://clinicalinfo.hiv.gov/en/guidelines/perinatal/management-infants-arv-hiv-exposure-infection
Infographic:
https://hivinfo.nih.gov/understanding-hiv/infographics/protecting-baby-hiv.
The Well Project is a non-profit organization whose mission is to change the course of the HIV/AIDS pandemic by focusing on women and girls across the gender spectrum. This resource is designed specifically for women and provides tools so they can thrive while living with HIV. This project presents the HIV Treatment Guidelines for Pregnant Women and Their Infants in an easily readable and understandable format and even has a downloadable slide presentation on the topic. The website contains fact sheets from both the United States and United Kingdom and lists a number of resources that all women may find helpful.
https://www.thewellproject.org/hiv-information/hiv-treatment-guidelines-pregnant-people-and-their-infants.
Meet Our Education & Clinical Services Team
Angela Lang, DNP-CNS, RN, C-ONQS, CNL, IBCLC
Medela has been providing our customers with evidence-based education since 2006. We would like you to meet our team!
Our team is led by Angela Lang, DNP-CNS, RN, C-ONQS, CNL, IBCLC. Angela Lang serves as Director of Medical Affairs and Lactation Science for Medela LLC, overseeing education program development and all clinical training for healthcare providers. In this role, she directs a team of clinical healthcare professionals in representing Medela in lactation, baby nutrition and clinical practice affairs.
Through her career, Angela has been an advocate for improving breastfeeding to better maternal and infant health outcomes. She has served as the clinical nurse manager for labor and delivery at Rush Copley Medical Center in Aurora, Illinois, as well as the Manager of Nursing Education, Professional Development & Magnet Program at Advocate Aurora Health in West Allis, Wisconsin. She was a state-level leader for AWHONN and the Wisconsin Association of Lactation Consultants, and has supported clinicians with breastfeeding and maternal HIV education on four medical trips to Africa.
Angela received both her Doctor of Nursing Practice-Clinical Nurse Specialist Maternal Infant and Bachelor of Science in Nursing from University of Wisconsin and received a secondary Bachelor of Science in Maternal Child Health-Lactation Consulting from Union Institute and University.
Kathleen Quellen, RN, BSN, CBC
Kathleen Quellen, RN, BSN, CBC is the Clinical Education Manager for Medela supporting the Western United States. Kathleen has been a Registered Nurse working in Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care since 1981. Kathy started her career in New Jersey at NJ United Children’s Hospital but spent most of her career at Georgetown University Medical Center specializing in Pediatric and Neonatal CCU and critical care transport. Kathy was also a traveling nurse working all across the United States in NICU and PICU care.
In the late 90’s Kathy transitioned into education working for Abbott Laboratories as a Clinical Educator for their hospital products division, teaching medication management systems with smart IV pumps. After transitioning into hospital sales for Abbott and covering Washington DC area for several years, she moved into the role of Clinical Project Management for the implementation of IT based smart pump systems for hospitals throughout the United States.
Kathy joined the Medela team 9 years ago as a Clinical NICU Specialist/Educator covering the Western United States and supporting customers in their journey with all things human milk.
Jenny Murray, BSN, RN, IBCLC
Jenny Murray, BSN, RN, IBCLC is the Clinical Education Manager supporting North America. Responsible for providing clinical
expertise on the delivery of neonatal, newborn and pediatric nutrition, as well as maternal lactation, Jenny presents the science to both clinical audiences and new parents.
With more than 20 years’ experience as a neonatal nurse, Jenny has served in a variety of nursing leadership roles within the NICU. These experiences fostered her love for education and research, with a special interest in supporting clinicians to advance the innovative world of neonatology.
Jenny holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Baylor University. She was inducted into Tenet’s Hero Hall of Fame in 2015 and featured in the American Hospital Association publication for her leadership, clinical expertise and deep connections with family during and after their infants’ stay. She received the Excellence in Nursing Award from D Magazine in 2016.
Jenny lives in Melissa, TX, with her husband and two children. She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, reading, and volunteering at her church.
Jess Sember, MSN, RN, IBCLC, CPLC, CCE, SBD
Jess Sember, MSN, RN, IBCLC, CPLC, CCE, SBD is the Clinical Education Manager supporting across the Americas. In her current role, she provides clinical insight, evidence-based research, and education to guide best practice for Medela, as well as healthcare professionals and families to assist with meeting their human milk goals.
Before joining Medela, Jess spent more than 15 years in healthcare, starting her nursing career as a labor and delivery nurse. Throughout her career she has worked as a lactation consultant for NICU, postpartum and post discharge patients, served as a
childbirth educator, research coordinator, and also as a nurse leader coordinating Perinatal Education and Perinatal Bereavement programs. Education and perinatal bereavement are areas of special interest to Jess; who is passionate about helping patients in their time of need.
Jess is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and holds certifications as a Childbirth Educator, Perinatal Loss Care Provider, and Still Birthday Doula. She received her BSN from Mansfield University of Pennsylvania and MSN from American Sentinel University.
Kimberly Colburn, BPC
Kimberly Colburn, BPC serves as Medela’s Medical Education Specialist. She oversees the Education website, as well as our monthly Leading Lactation Insights newsletter. Additionally, Kimberly manages Medela’s attendance at conferences and exhibits throughout the Americas region for the Human Milk and Wound Care business units. She also enjoys hosting the monthly Education and Clinical Services webinars, where she interacts with a range of healthcare professionals, lactation experts, and industry thought leaders.
Kimberly began her Medela career as a temporary employee in 1991 and was then officially hired in March 1992. She has since worked in our Production, Shipping, Customer Service, Reception, Training, and Education departments and has greatly enjoyed her vast experience with Medela through the years.
In 1994, Kimberly received her Emergency Medical Technician certification. She also completed Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Training through Rush University Medical Center in 2014 and graduated with an Associate’s in Applied Science Business
Management through McHenry County College in 2015.
Kimberly resides in Lake in the Hills with her husband. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling the world, and being an auntie to two adorable nephews!
Breastfeeding Promotion, Protection, and Support: Why We Do It and Why It’s So Hard to Do.Jenny Thomas, MD., MPH, IBCLC, FAAP, FABM Wednesday, September 20
|
Is Hands-Free In-Bra Pumping Effective?Donna Geddes, Professor, DMU, PostGrad DIP (Sci), Ph.D. Wednesday, October 18
|
Consensus Statement/Early Effective Initiation for Mothers with Risk FactorsJessica Brumley, CNM, Ph.D. Wednesday, December 6
|
Starting January 2024, we will be moving our live webinars to Tuesdays.
Prematurity Awareness/NeonatologyRebecca Hoban, MD, MPH Wednesday, January 9
|
2023 Webinar Schedule
The 2023 Human Milk Monthly Clinical Education Webinar Schedule is now available! Download your copy today!
Breastfeeding with HIV in the US? Update to Clinical Guidelines
Maria Sienkiewicz Lennon, MSN, CNM, IBCLC
In January of 2023, the US Department of Health and Human Services made a significant change to the perinatal HIV clinical guidelines which now reflect the current evidence of the transmission of HIV from mother to child through breastfeeding. Until then, the recommendation in the US was to not breast/chestfeed if a person was HIV positive. Today, these guidelines now incorporate options for breastfeeding when a person with HIV has sustained undetectable levels of virus in their blood and is on antiretroviral therapy.
The new guidelines recommend that healthcare providers engage in shared decision-making and discuss infant feeding options with women and other birthing parents living with HIV.
Counseling should begin before conception, if possible, or early in pregnancy and should include the following key information:
- If using pasteurized donor milk from a milk bank or infant formula, the risk of postnatal transmission of HIV through infant feeding is zero.
- If, during pregnancy and postpartum, the birthing parent achieves and maintains viral suppression through antiretroviral suppression therapy (ART), the risk of postnatal transmission of HIV is reduced to less than 1%, but not zero.
- Individuals with HIV who have an undetectable viral load and are on ART and choose to breastfeed should be supported in this decision.
- When people with HIV are not on ART and/or do not have a suppressed viral load during pregnancy (minimally throughout the third trimester as well as at delivery), it is recommended that infant feeding with either banked pasteurized donor milk or infant formula be used to eliminate the risk of HIV transmission through breastfeeding.
- Individuals who choose to formula feed should be supported in their decision also.
- Notifying Child Protective Services or other similar agencies regarding a person with HIV’s infant feeding choices is not an appropriate response.
If clinicians have questions about infant feeding choices for a person living with HIV, they can consult the Perinatal HIV/AIDS hotline at: 1-888-448-8765.
Reference:
Panel on Treatment of HIV During Pregnancy and Prevention of Perinatal Transmission. Recommendations for the Use of Antiretroviral Drugs During Pregnancy and Interventions to Reduce Perinatal HIV Transmission in the United States. Department of Health and Human Services. 2023. Available at https://clinicalinfo.hiv.gov/en/guidelines/perinatal. Accessed 08/18/2023.
This month we are spotlighting Sino George, DNP, APRN, RNC-OB, WHNP-B
Megan Quinn
Sino George, DNP, APRN, RNC-OB, WHNP-BC, recently retired as a Clinical Nurse Specialist after 21 years of helping new and expectant parents as they navigated the journey of expanding their families. Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, Sino says she became involved with healthcare because, from a very young age, she had a passion for helping others and decided to pursue nursing as her profession.
Prior to retiring, Sino worked as part of a large health system in Georgia, where her hospital was designated as Baby Friendly in early 2015. During her time as part of this health system, Sino strove to change practice at her facility and implement evidence-based quality improvement projects to benefit both patients and clinical staff. “In my APRN role, I brought evidence-based practice to the bedside nurses,” Sino says. “If there is no current evidence, we created it through research. Our breastfeeding exclusivity rates were going in the wrong direction, so I implemented the role of Neonatal Assessment Nurse in Labor and Delivery for immediate skin-to-skin care and was thus able to increase breastfeeding exclusivity.”
The above-mentioned quality improvement project used evidence-based guidelines to implement this new role of Neonatal Assessment Nurse. Participants for this project were Registered Nurses from the Women’s Health division employed in the LDR, Mother-Baby and NICU units. Implemented to promote immediate skin-to-skin care for the stable newborn after vaginal and cesarean delivery, the outcome was measured by breastfeeding exclusivity at the time of hospital discharge.
25 bedside RNs participated in this quality improvement project, with competency evaluated at the beginning and end of the education session through a pre- and post-test and skills validation to affirm their understanding and readiness for their new role. “There was a statistically significant difference in the pre-test and post-test scores, which indicates a knowledge increase,” Sino notes. “All nurses who participated met the skills validation criteria and I am proud to share that the rate of skin-to-skin contact immediately after vaginal delivery increased from 49% to 82%. With cesarean delivery, the rate of skin-to-skin contact increased from 33% to 63%.” With skin-to-skin rates drastically increased, this quality improvement project also resulted in breastfeeding exclusivity at the time of discharge spiking from 50% to 86% - Thus achieving this project’s goal and helping families across Georgia begin breastfeeding effectively.
In addition to taking a proactive stance when it comes to breastfeeding initiation and the importance of skin-to-skin contact immediately following birth, Sino enjoys a variety of activities outside of work. She cites traveling, reading and spending time with family and friends as some of her favorite pastimes. Thank you for sharing your story, dedication and quality improvement project details with our readers so they may find ways to implement similar projects and best practices at their facilities while helping moms and babies have strong starts!
Thank you to this issue's contributors!
Maria Lennon, MSN, CNM, IBCLC
Nurse-Midwife, Perinatal Education Consultant - Sedona, AZ
Katie McGee, RN, BSN, IBCLC
Education Consultant - Westchester, IL
Kim Colburn, BPC
Medela U.S. Medical Education Specialist.2022-05-09-13-47-38.jpg)
