Purpose for the program: It has been well-documented in previous research that low income African American pregnant women is less likely to initiate and continue breastfeeding for the recommended first year of the infant’s life. According to National Health and Nutritional data, breastfeeding rates of ethnic minority mothers include Non-Hispanic white (61%), Spanish-speaking Mexican American mothers (63%), and African American mothers (26%), respectively. Mothers with higher levels of education and income have greater breastfeeding initiation and continuation rates as compared to mothers of low-income and low levels of schooling. Contributing factors that are influential in initiating breastfeeding include cultural, economic, educational, and social factors to initiate and continue to feed for the first year of life is of importance. Low-income African American mothers who have lower levels of education need additional antenatal support during and after the pregnancy with follow-up continued for the first year of life. Previous evidence-based research educational interventions have demonstrated success in breastfeeding initiation and duration in low- income African American and Hispanic pregnant populations

The purpose of this presentation is to demonstrate an innovative breastfeeding educational program in a large medical center in an urban setting providing maternal-child health services to primarily low-income African American and Hispanic women, where breastfeeding rates stand at 45% as compared to the Healthy People 2020 initiation rate of 89%. Using a practice partnership model, the aligned nursing program of the medical institution developed and implemented a program in conjunction with the maternal-child health services providing an educational program beginning in the antenatal clinic using the support of nursing faculty and students will follow through in the intrapartum and postpartum units with post-licensure nurses. 

Proposed change: In collaboration with the multidisciplinary breastfeeding task force which guide practice initiatives based on evidence based practice guidelines, a comprehensive breastfeeding program will begin in the prenatal office and continue through the discharge. 

Implementation, outcomes and evaluation: With the support of a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Health 2011, $5000.00 was awarded to facilitate staff breastfeeding education through inservices and reading materials.  Also, patient education materials will be purchased to be utilized through the continuum of perinatal services.  Our goal is to increase our initiation of breastfeeding rates and to emphasize the duration time for breastfeeding to assure our newborns become healthy children and adults. 

Implications for nursing practice: Implications for nursing practice will be discussed.

Keywords: Breastfeeding, Women's health, Baby Friendly