Labor and delivery nurses play a vital role in supporting new parents as they initiate breastfeeding. Immediately after birth, nurses are of the first point of contact in offering breastfeeding support and guidance.

This makes in crucial that labor and delivery nurses have comprehensive understanding of breastfeeding initiation. Lactation management in the first few days postpartum can have a massive impact on breastfeeding initiation and duration.

As more hospitals track breastfeeding initiation rates as well as duration of feeding, they are seeking ways to ensure their staff is properly trained.

This is why New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center and New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical partnered with us at the International Breastfeeding Institute to provide Certified Breastfeeding Counselor training to their staff.

So, why should L&D nurses receive breastfeeding education? Here’s why:

Educated L&D Nurses Can Support Breastfeeding Initiation

There are a few important things which are important to breastfeeding initiation. When L&D nurses are trained in breastfeeding, they have important information to help parents in the early hours and days of breastfeeding. This early support is vital.

Training provides:

Knowledge of Breastfeeding Techniques: Breastfeeding is a learned skill for both parents and babies. Labor and delivery nurses who are well-educated about breastfeeding techniques can assist parents in achieving a proper latch and positioning from the very first breastfeeding session.

Skills for Addressing Common Concerns: Many parents may experience concerns or challenges related to breastfeeding, such as nipple pain, engorgement, or low milk supply. Educated nurses can identify these issues early on and provide appropriate guidance and support to address them.

Promoting Skin-to-Skin Contact: Skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth has been shown to facilitate breastfeeding initiation and bonding between parents and baby. Nurses who understand the importance of skin-to-skin contact can encourage and facilitate this practice in the delivery room.

Educated L&D Nurses Can Provide Ongoing Support

After the initial latching and early breastfeeding, it is important to help continue to establish a good supply. When hospital staff is not familiar with appropriate breastfeeding management, they might provide outdated advice which interferes with establishing a good supply.

As public health continues to track ongoing breastfeeding rates, hospitals can play a pivotal role in helping families establish breastfeeding.

Educated nurses can:

Monitoring Breastfeeding Progress: Labor and delivery nurses are in a unique position to monitor breastfeeding progress in the immediate postpartum period. By assessing latch, milk transfer, and signs of effective feeding, nurses can identify any issues early on and provide timely interventions or referrals to lactation consultants if needed.

Offering Encouragement and Reassurance: Breastfeeding can be challenging, especially in the early days. Educated nurses can offer encouragement, reassurance, and practical tips to mothers to help build their confidence and alleviate any anxieties they may have.

Collaborating with Lactation Consultants: Labor and delivery nurses who are knowledgeable about breastfeeding can work collaboratively with lactation consultants to provide comprehensive support to mothers. This collaboration ensures that mothers receive consistent and evidence-based breastfeeding guidance throughout their hospital stay.

Advocating for Breastfeeding-Friendly Practices

Trained nurses are also vital in fighting for appropriate policies which encourage evidence-based care.

Supporting Rooming-In: Rooming-in, where mothers and babies stay together 24 hours a day, promotes breastfeeding by facilitating frequent and on-demand breastfeeding sessions. Educated nurses can advocate for rooming-in practices and provide mothers with the necessary support to care for their babies in the hospital setting.

Implementing Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiatives: Labor and delivery nurses can play a key role in implementing Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) practices, which are designed to promote and support breastfeeding in healthcare facilities. By adhering to BFHI guidelines and providing evidence-based breastfeeding education to mothers, nurses contribute to creating a breastfeeding-friendly environment in their hospital.

Breastfeeding education for labor and delivery nurses is essential for ensuring parents receive the support and guidance they need to initiate and maintain successful breastfeeding. By equipping nurses with the knowledge and skills to assist parents with breastfeeding, healthcare facilities can promote positive breastfeeding outcomes and contribute to the overall health and well-being of mothers and babies.