Intervening to promote early initiation of breastfeeding in the LDR.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of an interventional protocol for the early initiation of breastfeeding that would remove barriers in the labor, delivery, recovery (LDR) unit.


METHODS
Descriptive design using 100 postpartum mothers who were interviewed before discharge at a large university hospital in the south-central United States. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis.


RESULTS
The protocol was effective for initiating breastfeeding, and breastfeeding increased from 53% to 66%.


CONCLUSIONS
When barriers to breastfeeding are reduced in the LDR setting, women will breastfeed. It is possible that reducing hospital barriers to breastfeeding in the LDR can also set the stage for sustained breastfeeding during hospitalization and for less supplementation with formula.
Komara
Carol
C
OB/Women's Care, University of Kentucky Hospital, Lexington, USA. cakoma2@email.uky.edu
Simpson
Diana
D
Teasdale
Carla
C
Whalen
Gaye
G
Bell
Shay
S
Giovanetto
Laurie
L
D001294:Attitude to Health; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007629:Kentucky; D007743:Labor, Obstetric / Q000523:psychology; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D009773:Obstetric Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010347:Patient Care Planning / Q000458:organization & administration; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011181:Postnatal Care / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000523:psychology; D011247:Pregnancy; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors