Purpose for the program:  Healthy People 2020 has set the goal of improving breastfeeding rates nationally. In an effort to meet these goals, breastfeeding education for staff nurses is imperative. Lactation consultants have the responsibility to not only work directly with patients but to also provide education to all post partum nurses.   Many facilitites do not offer lactation consultant services during the over-night shift which presents a unique challenge to educating these staff nurses.  The purpose of this program was to provide an appropriately targeted program meeting the over-night postpartum nurses' educational needs.  

Proposed change: A comprehensive breastfeeding educational program was developed in order to improve breastfeeding knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of postpartum nurses. Empowering postpartum nurses with exceptional, evidence-based education improves their confidence in providing breastfeeding support.  With superior support from postpartum nurses, new mothers can avoid the many breastfeeding problems that lead to early cessation of breastfeeding. 

 Implementation, outcomes and evaluation: In order to understand the perceived educational needs of the over-night shift, a committee of hospital-based lactation consultants was formed.  The members of this committee carried out face-to-face interviews with staff nurses during five different over-night shifts. The identified educational needs were used to develop a Midnight Education Program which included the topics of proper latch and positioning, reason for supplementation, how to evaluate a feed, community lactation resources, pumping, soothing a crying baby and skin to skin contact to promote breastfeeding success.  Tools used to deliver information included posters, videos, lactation consultant question and answer session and pocket reference cards. The committee recruited the 18 member lactation department to participate in the development of the posters, pocket reference cards and scenarios.  Continuing education credits were obtained for participants.  To engage participants, a fun theme was incorporated into the program with games, prizes, themed food and decorations.  Interactive breastfeeding scenarios were used to evaluate participants' comprehension of presented information. A follow up email survey was sent to participants to determine the program's effect on nursing practice.

Implications for nursing practice: Developing an educational program to meet a specific shift's needs takes careful planning.  Making initial face-to-face contact establishes buy-in and allows proper assessment of educational needs. A team approach can create a more comprehensive program in a timely manner. Reaching more postpartum nurses intensifies breastfeeding support for patients thereby improving breastfeeding outcomes.  

 Keywords: breastfeeding education, nursing education, breastfeeding support