The poster presentation will demonstrate the results of improving breastfeeding education for nurses and the effect on the supplementation rates at Jersey Shore University Medical Center (JSUMC) Based on the CDC results of the Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care survey, it was determined that there was an opportunity for improvement in our existing hospital practices. Hospital adminstration determined that seeking Baby Friendly designation would improve the quality of care that we provide to mothers and babies in our community. In meeting the requirements for the designation, a comprehensive breastfeeding education program was put into place. As a result, our data collection on maternity practices such as skin to skin at delivery, exclusive breastfeeding rates and formula supplementation showed significant improvement in all three practices after the educational program was implemented.

Proposed change:

Improve breastfeeding skills and change nursing process related to maternity practices that support breastfeeding. This educational program will ultimately help to ensure breastfeeding success and increase the duration of exclusive breastfeeding.

Implementation, outcomes and evaluation:

The comprehensive breastfeeding education program and strategies for implementing improved maternity care practices will be described, and results of improved maternity care practices will be demonstrated. Ongoing evaluation of our exclusive breastfeeding rate will help to determine the long term success of the educational program as determined by out electronic birth certificate data

Implications for nursing practice: Long standing nursing practices can be impacted through education and awareness of current evidence-based standards and research.

Keywords: supplementation rates, nurse education and breastfeeding rates