title: Breastfeeding and human lactation: education and curricular issues for pediatric nurse practitioners.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study explores the breastfeeding and human lactation education offered in pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP) masters-level nursing programs.
  
  
  METHODS
  An online survey about breastfeeding and human lactation education offered in the PNP curriculum was sent to all PNP programs in the United States with viable contact information (N = 84). The response rate was 42.9%.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All of the respondents indicated that their PNP program curriculum includes the promotion of breastfeeding. However, 5.9% of programs do not offer any courses that incorporate these topics, and 73.5% teach this content in only one to two courses. More than three quarters of programs (81.8%) offer opportunities to counsel expectant mothers on infant feeding choices, promote breastfeeding in the clinical setting, and teach breastfeeding techniques. However, 18.2% of programs do not offer any of these opportunities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The breastfeeding and lactation education offered in PNP programs is inconsistent. Formal incorporation of research-based lactation education into PNP curricula will help to standardize knowledge and aid in the PNP clinical role.
authors: University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4217, USA.
authors: Allison E
authors: AE
authors: Boyd
authors: Diane L
authors: DL
authors: Spatz
mesh_terms: D001942:Breast Feeding; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007774:Lactation; D008297:Male; D016389:Maternal-Child Nursing / Q000193:education*; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000193:education*; D014481:United States