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Recognized expert sources have issued policy statements on the benefits of breastfeeding.  Recently reported breastfeeding initiation rates in America have exceeded the Healthy People 2010 goal of 75 %; however, the Healthy People 2010 goal of 50% for breastfeeding duration remains unmet. 

Variables that affect breastfeeding duration can be multifactoral. The recognition of these multiple variables, motivated nurses and administration of a 254 bed Midwest hospital to fashion the Postpartum Clinic (PPC) for mothers and their infants.  A major goal of the PPC is to support and prolong the families’ breastfeeding experience.

The PPC nurse serves as a resource for information to new parents with concerns regarding feeding questions. All new mothers are offered a PPC appointment 24-48 hours after discharge with further follow-up visits determined by nurse / physician collaboration. Visits to the PPC are free of charge and the service is incorporated into the room rate.  It is regarded, by administration, as a community outreach effort.

In addition to a breastfeeding emphasis, the PPC offers additional services.  It creates an added opportunity for the detection of maternal /child complications that may hinder breastfeeding success. Some problems displayed by newborns such as jaundice and dehydration may be serious and have deleterious consequences. These problems may not present themselves until after discharge. PPC staff performs color and weight checks as part of the newborn evaluation.  Maternal services such as screenings for maternal infection, post-partum depression, and domestic violence, provide a safety net to new families who may have limited resources for informational and clinical support.

Becoming a new parent frequently presents stressful changes and numerous questions; some too involved to be dealt with in depth during the short hospital stay. The PPC offers another opportunity for parent education and skill building under the watchful eye of a healthcare professional.

A benefit to the organization from the PPC, is the staff’s ability to establish a continuous and familiar therapeutic relationship with the birth family. Beginning early in the pregnancy with prenatal classes, progressing through the birthing experience in the hospital and extending into the postpartum period, PPC staff build the patient / hospital relationship.   Patients have indicated increased satisfaction with this seamless continuum of care for mother and baby as demonstrated by increased patient Press Gainey and the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Health Plans Survey (HCAPS) scores for satisfaction that range in the 98th percentile.

In a telephone survey of breastfeeding mothers delivering within a 6 month time frame, 72% had attended the PPC.  Thirty six percent were still breastfeeding at 6 months.    Of the 28% of mothers who declined the PPC appointment, 22% had stopped breastfeeding within the first two weeks of life. Mothers who had attended the PPC attributed their breastfeeding success and duration to the support and education offered in the PPC. A correlation could be drawn between the PPC and its effectiveness on breastfeeding success and duration as well as patient satisfaction with the service.