ABM Position Statement: Paid Maternity Leave-Importance to Society, Breastfeeding, and Sustainable Development

Background: Paid maternity leave benefits all of society, reducing infant mortality and providing economic gains. It is endorsed by international treaties. Paid maternity leave is important for breastfeeding, bonding, and recovery from childbirth. Not all mothers have access to adequate paid maternity leave. Key Information: Paid leave helps meet several of the 17 United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (2, 3, 4, 5, 8, and 10), including fostering economic growth. A family's expenses will rise with the arrival of an infant. Paid leave is often granted with partial pay. Many low-wage workers earn barely enough to meet their needs and are unable to take advantage of paid leave. Undocumented immigrants and self-employed persons, including those engaging in informal work, are often omitted from maternity leave programs. Recommendations: Six months of paid leave at 100% pay, or cash equivalent, should be available to mothers regardless of income, employment, or immigration status. At the very minimum, 18 weeks of fully paid leave should be granted. Partial pay for low-wage workers is insufficient. Leave and work arrangements should be flexible whenever possible. Longer flexible leave for parents of sick and preterm infants is essential. Providing adequate paid leave for partners has multiple benefits. Increasing minimum wages can help more families utilize paid leave. Cash benefits per birth can help informal workers and undocumented mothers afford to take leave. Equitable paid maternity leave must be primarily provided by governments and cannot be accomplished by employers alone.

Racial and Ethnic Differences in Length of Stay for US Children Hospitalized for Acute Osteomyelitis

OBJECTIVE

To examine the associations between race and ethnicity and length of stay (LOS) for US children with acute osteomyelitis.

STUDY DESIGN

Using the Kids' Inpatient Database, we conducted a cross-sectional study of children <21 years old hospitalized in 2016 or 2019 with acute osteomyelitis. Using survey-weighted negative binomial regression, we modeled LOS by race and ethnicity, adjusting for clinical and hospital characteristics and socioeconomic status. Secondary outcomes included prolonged LOS, defined as LOS of >7 days (equivalent to LOS in the highest quartile).

RESULTS

We identified 2388 children discharged with acute osteomyelitis. The median LOS was 5 days (IQR, 3-7). Compared with White children, children of Black race (adjusted incidence rate ratio [aIRR] 1.15; 95% CI, 1.05-1.27), Hispanic ethnicity (aIRR 1.11; 95% CI, 1.02-1.21), and other race and ethnicity (aIRR 1.12; 95% CI, 1.01-1.23) had a significantly longer LOS. The odds of Black children experiencing prolonged LOS was 46% higher compared with White children (aOR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.01-2.11).

CONCLUSIONS

Children of Black race, Hispanic ethnicity, and other race and ethnicity with acute osteomyelitis experienced longer LOS than White children. Elucidating the mechanisms underlying these race- and ethnicity-based differences, including social drivers such as access to care, structural racism, and bias in provision of inpatient care, may improve management and outcomes for children with acute osteomyelitis.

ABM Clinical Protocol #37: Physiological Infant Care-Managing Nighttime Breastfeeding in Young Infants

A central goal of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM) is the development of clinical protocols for managing common medical problems that may impact breastfeeding success. These protocols serve only as guidelines for the care of breastfeeding mothers and infants and do not delineate an exclusive course of treatment or serve as standards of medical care. Variations in treatment may be appropriate according to the needs of an individual patient. The ABM empowers health professionals to provide safe, inclusive, patient-centered, and evidence-based care. Pregnant and lactating people identify with a broad spectrum of genders, pronouns, and terms for feeding and parenting. There are two reasons ABM's use of gender-inclusive language may be transitional or inconsistent across protocols. First, gender-inclusive language is nuanced and evolving across languages, cultures, and countries. Second, foundational research has not adequately described the experiences of gender-diverse individuals. Therefore, ABM advocates for, and will strive to use language that is as inclusive and accurate as possible within this framework. For more explanation, please read ABM Position Statements on Infant Feeding and Lactation-Related Language and Gender (https://doi.org/10.1089/bfm.2021.29188.abm) and Breastfeeding As a Basic Human Right (https://doi.org/10.1089/bfm.2022.29216.abm).

887. Race and ethnicity differences in hospital length of stay for children with acute osteomyelitis in the United States

Background

Changes in management of bone infections, particularly early transition to oral antibiotic therapy, have decreased length of stay (LOS) for children hospitalized with acute osteomyelitis. However, evaluation of differences in length of stay by race and ethnicity have been limited.

Methods

Using the Kids’ Inpatient Database, we conducted a cross-sectional study of children ages 0–20 years hospitalized in 2016 or 2019 with a primary or secondary diagnosis of acute osteomyelitis. Using survey-weighted negative binomial regression, we modeled length of study (LOS) by race and ethnicity, accounting for clinical and hospital characteristics and socioeconomic status. Secondary outcomes included predictors of LOS &gt; 7 days (equivalent to LOS in the highest quartile), central venous catheter (CVC) placement, and time to debridement.

Results

We identified 2,388 patients discharged with acute osteomyelitis. Median LOS was 5 days (IQR 3–7). Black race (adjusted incidence rate ratio [aIRR] 1.15, 95%CI 1.05–1.27), Hispanic ethnicity (aIRR 1.11, 95% CI 1.02–1.21), and other race and ethnicity (aIRR 1.12, 95% CI 1.01–1.23) were associated with longer LOS, compared to White race (Figure 1). Additional factors associated with prolonged LOS were Medicaid/self-pay status (aIRR 1.14, 95% CI 1.07–1.21) and other insurance (aIRR 1.21, 95% CI 1.02–1.45), compared to private insurance; debridement procedure (aIRR 1.31, 95%CI 1.23–1.31); CVC placement (aIRR 1.41, 95% CI 1.31–1.51), and complex chronic condition (aIRR 1.21, 95% CI 1.11–1.33). The odds of Black children experiencing LOS &gt; 7 days was 46% higher compared to White children (aOR 1.46, 95% CI 1.01–2.11; Figure 2). There were no differences by race and ethnicity on odds of CVC placement or time to debridement.

Model is adjusted for hospital location/teaching status, hospital region, year, debridement procedure, CVC placement, complex chronic condition, weekend admission, discharge quarter, hospital bed size, Zip code median income quartile.

Model is adjusted for hospital location/teaching status, hospital region, year, debridement procedure, CVC placement, complex chronic condition, weekend admission, discharge quarter, hospital bed size, Zip code median income quartile.

Conclusion

Black, Hispanic, and other race and ethnicity children with acute osteomyelitis experienced longer LOS than White children. Further research into mechanisms underlying these differences, including social determinants such as access to care or structural racism, may be important to improve care for children with osteomyelitis.

Disclosures

All Authors: No reported disclosures.

The Role of Breastfeeding in Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Sudden Unexpected Infant Death: A Population-Based Study of 13 Million Infants in the United States

Sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) disproportionately affects non-Hispanic Black (NHB) and American Indian/Alaskan Native infants, who have lower rates of breastfeeding than other groups. Using 13,077,880 live-birth certificates and 11,942 linked SUID death certificates from 2015 through 2018, we calculated odds ratios and adjusted risk differences of SUID in infants who were not breastfed across 5 racial/ethnic strata in the United States. We analyzed mediation by not breastfeeding in the race/ethnicity-SUID association. The overall SUID rate was 0.91 per 1,000 live births. NHB and American Indian/Alaskan Native infants had the highest disparity in SUID relative to non-Hispanic White infants. Overall, not breastfeeding was associated with SUID (adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 1.14; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.10, 1.19), and the adjusted risk difference was 0.12 per 1,000 live births. The aOR of not breastfeeding for SUID was 1.07 (95% CI: 1.00, 1.14) in NHB infants and 1.29 (95% CI: 1.14, 1.46) in Hispanic infants. Breastfeeding minimally explained the higher SUID risk in NHB infants (2.3% mediated) and the lower risk in Hispanic infants (2.1% mediated) relative to non-Hispanic White infants. Competing risks likely explain the lower aOR seen in NHB infants of not breastfeeding on SUID, suggesting that social or structural determinants must be addressed to reduce racial disparities in SUID.

ABM Clinical Protocol #35: Supporting Breastfeeding During Maternal or Child Hospitalization

A central goal of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine is the development of clinical protocols for managing common medical problems that may impact breastfeeding success. These protocols serve only as guidelines for the care of breastfeeding mothers and infants and do not delineate an exclusive course of treatment or serve as standards of medical care. Variations in treatment may be appropriate according to the needs of an individual patient. The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine recognizes that not all lactating individuals identify as female. Using gender-inclusive language, however, is not possible in all languages and all countries and for all readers. The position of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (https://doi.org/10.1089/bfm.2021.29188.abm) is to interpret clinical protocols within the framework of inclusivity of all breastfeeding, chestfeeding, and human milk-feeding individuals.

Shared decision-making for infant feeding and care during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic

Despite decades of research establishing the importance of breastfeeding, skin-to-skin contact and mother-infant closeness, the response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has underscored the hidden assumption that these practices can be dispensed with no consequences to mother or child. This article aims to support shared decision-making process for infant feeding and care with parents and health care providers during the unprecedented times of the pandemic. It proposes a structure and rationale to guide the process that includes (1) discussing with parents evidence-based information and the different options to feed and care for an infant and young child in the context of the pandemic as well as their potential benefits, risks and scientific uncertainties; (2) helping parents to recognize the sensitive nature of the decisions and to clarify the value they place on the different options to feed and care for their infant or young child; and (3) providing guidance and support needed to make and implement their decisions. A shared decision-making process will help parents navigate complex feeding and care decisions for their child as we face the different stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Trends in Breastfeeding Interventions, Skin-to-Skin Care, and Sudden Infant Death in the First 6 Days after Birth

OBJECTIVE

To determine if implementation of skin-to-skin care and the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) contributes to sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) and asphyxia in the first 6 days after birth.

STUDY DESIGN

Survey data were used to determine a correlation between BFHI and deaths from SUID and asphyxia among infants <7 days in the US and Massachusetts. Using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, implementation of BFHI was tracked from 2004-2016 and skin-to-skin care was tracked from 2007-2015. Using data from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention WONDER and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, SUID and asphyxia were tracked from 2004-2016.

RESULTS

Nationally, births in Baby-Friendly facilities rose from 1.8% to 18.3% and the percentage of facilities in which most dyads experienced skin-to-skin care rose from 40% to 83%. SUID prevalence among infants <7 days was rare (0.72% of neonatal deaths) and decreased significantly from 2004-2009 compared with 2010-2016, from 0.033 per 1000 live births to 0.028, OR 0.85 (95% CI 0.77, 0.94). In Massachusetts, births in Baby-Friendly facilities rose from 2.8% to 13.9% and skin-to-skin care rose from 50% to 97.8%. SUID prevalence decreased from 2010-2016 compared with 2004-2009: OR 0.32 (95% CI 0.13, 0.82), with 0 asphyxia deaths during the 13-year period.

CONCLUSION

Increasing rates of breastfeeding initiatives and skin-to-skin care are temporally associated with decreasing SUID prevalence in the first 6 days after birth in the US and Massachusetts.

ABM Clinical Protocol #30: Radiology and Nuclear Medicine Studies in Lactating Women

A central goal of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine is the development of clinical protocols for managing common medical problems that may impact breastfeeding success. These protocols serve only as guidelines for the care of breastfeeding mothers and infants and do not delineate an exclusive course of treatment or serve as standards of medical care. Variations in treatment may be appropriate according to the needs of an individual patient.

ABM Clinical Protocol #30: Breast Masses, Breast Complaints, and Diagnostic Breast Imaging in the Lactating Woman

A central goal of The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine is the development of clinical protocols, free from commercial interest or influence, for managing common medical problems that may impact breastfeeding success. These protocols serve only as guidelines for the care of breastfeeding mothers and infants and do not delineate an exclusive course of treatment or serve as standards of medical care. Variations in treatment may be appropriate according to the needs of an individual patient.

Sudden infant death and social justice: A syndemics approach

Sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) prevention has focused on modifying individual behavioural risk factors, especially bedsharing. Yet these deaths are most common among poor and marginalized people in wealthy countries, including U.S. Blacks, American Indians/Alaskan Natives, New Zealand Māori, Australian Aborigines, indigenous Canadians, and low-income British people. The United States now has the world's highest prevalence of SUID/SIDS, where even Whites' SIDS prevalence now approaches that of the Māori. Using public databases and the literature, we examine SUID/SIDS prevalence and the following risk factors in selected world populations: maternal smoking, preterm birth, alcohol use, poor prenatal care, sleep position, bedsharing, and formula feeding. Our findings suggest that risk factors cluster in high-prevalence populations, many are linked to poverty and discrimination and have independent effects on perinatal outcomes. Moreover, populations with the world's lowest rates of SUID/SIDS have low income-inequality or high relative wealth, yet have high to moderate rates of bedsharing. Employing syndemics theory, we suggest that disproportionately high prevalence of SUID/SIDS is primarily the result of socially driven, co-occurring epidemics that may act synergistically to amplify risk. SUID must be examined through the lens of structural inequity and the legacy of historical trauma. Emphasis on bedsharing may divert attention from risk reduction from structural interventions, breastfeeding, prenatal care, and tobacco cessation. Medical organizations play an important role in advocating for policies that address the root causes of infant mortality via poverty and discrimination interventions, tobacco control, and culturally appropriate support to families.

ABM Clinical Protocol #7: Model Maternity Policy Supportive of Breastfeeding

A central goal of The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine is the development of clinical protocols for managing common medical problems that may impact breastfeeding success. These protocols serve only as guidelines for the care of breastfeeding mothers and infants and do not delineate an exclusive course of treatment or serve as standards of medical care. Variations in treatment may be appropriate according to the needs of an individual patient.

Babies in boxes and the missing links on safe sleep: Human evolution and cultural revolution

Concerns about bedsharing as a risk for sudden infant death syndrome and other forms of sleep-associated infant death have gained prominence as a public health issue. Cardboard "baby boxes" are increasingly promoted to prevent infant death through separate sleep, despite no proof of efficacy. However, baby boxes disrupt "breastsleeping" (breastfeeding with co-sleeping) and may undermine breastfeeding. Recommendations enforcing separate sleep are based on 20th century Euro-American social norms for solitary infant sleep and scheduled feedings via bottles of cow's milk-based formula, in contrast to breastsleeping, an evolutionary adaptation facilitating the survival of mammalian infants for millennia. Interventions that aim to prevent bedsharing, such as the cardboard baby box, fail to consider the implications of evolutionary biology or of ethnocentrism in sleep guidance. Moreover, the focus on bedsharing neglects more potent risks such as smoking, drugs, alcohol, formula feeding, and poverty. Distribution of baby boxes may divert resources and attention away from addressing these other risk factors and lead to a false sense of security wherein we overlook that sudden unexplained infant deaths also occur in solitary sleep environments. Recognizing breastsleeping as the evolutionary and cross-cultural norm entails re-evaluating our research and policy priorities, such as providing greater structural support for families, supporting breastfeeding and safe co-sleeping, investigating ways to safely minimize separation for formula-fed infants, and mitigating the potential harms of mother-infant separation when breastsleeping is disrupted. Resources would be better spent addressing such questions rather than on a feel-good solution such as the baby box.

Speaking out on safe sleep: evidence-based infant sleep recommendations

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) issued recommendations in 2005 and 2011 to reduce sleep-related infant death, which advise against all bedsharing for sleep. These recommendations overemphasize the risks of bedsharing, and this overemphasis has serious unintended consequences. It may result in increased deaths on sofas as tired parents try to avoid feeding their infants in bed. Current evidence shows that other risks are far more potent, such as smoking, shared sleep on sofas, sleeping next to impaired caregivers, and formula feeding. The emphasis on separate sleep is diverting resources away from addressing these critical risk factors. Recommendations to avoid bedsharing may also interfere with breastfeeding. We examine both the evidence behind the AAP recommendations and the evidence omitted from those recommendations. We conclude that the only evidence-based universal advice to date is that sofas are hazardous places for adults to sleep with infants; that exposure to smoke, both prenatal and postnatal, increases the risk of death; and that sleeping next to an impaired caregiver increases the risk of death. No sleep environment is completely safe. Public health efforts must address the reality that tired parents must feed their infants at night somewhere and that sofas are highly risky places for parents to fall asleep with their infants, especially if parents are smokers or under the influence of alcohol or drugs. All messaging must be crafted and reevaluated to avoid unintended negative consequences, including impact on breastfeeding rates, or falling asleep in more dangerous situations than parental beds. We must realign our resources to focus on the greater risk factors, and that may include greater investment in smoking cessation and doing away with aggressive formula marketing. This includes eliminating conflicts of interest between formula marketing companies and organizations dedicated to the health of children.

Las dos cosas: an analysis of attitudes of latina women on non-exclusive breastfeeding

BACKGROUND

Non-exclusive breastfeeding among Latina women is commonly seen in the newborn period. The reasons behind las dos cosas ("both things") are not well understood but have included the beliefs that formula has vitamins and that adding formula will result in a chubbier baby, which is desirable. Many previous studies involved Mexican and Puerto Rican women living in the mainland United States.

METHODS

We performed detailed semistructured interviews with 17 Latina mothers in late pregnancy or the newborn period at a community hospital and an affiliated clinic in Massachusetts, serving a large Dominican population. Women were asked about their beliefs about breastfeeding, colostrum, and infant formula. Transcripts were analyzed using Nvivo 9 software (QSR International Pty. Ltd., Melbourne, Australia) to identify the frequencies of common trends.

RESULTS

The most common reasons for introducing formula were treatment for insufficient milk, to keep the baby fuller longer, and planning for return to work. None of the women understood the potential risks of introducing formula on the establishment of breastfeeding, particularly on milk supply. Many thought that even limited amounts of breastfeeding were sufficient to produce a healthier child, failing to understand a negative dose-response effect of formula on health and milk production. While every woman saw breastfeeding as healthier, only one saw formula as unhealthy, an important distinction. None of the women expressed familiarity with medical recommendations around breastfeeding duration or exclusivity, with many believing that breastmilk alone would be insufficient to satisfy the hunger or nutritional needs of a growing child after as little as 3 months. Women consistently demonstrated a willingness to learn from health professionals.

CONCLUSIONS

In counseling Latina women, it may be important to discuss the risks of formula to infant health, breastfeeding, and milk supply and to include the medical recommendations for breastfeeding exclusivity. Educational opportunities exist in the prenatal setting and when postpartum women request formula.

Breastfeeding and the U.S. economy

BACKGROUND

A recent study showed that current suboptimal U.S. breastfeeding rates cost the U.S. economy $13 billion per year in 2007 dollars for pediatric health cost and premature death. Cost data of excess maternal disease are not yet published but are thought to be substantial. Little is known about other costs.

METHODS

The approximate annual costs of many entities that impact breastfeeding or are impacted by breastfeeding were calculated and converted to 2010 dollars. Calculations assumed the United States went from 2007 breastfeeding rates to 90% compliance with medical recommendations. We included pediatric health costs, formula costs, cost of extra food for lactating women, paid leave, and additional factors.

RESULTS

If 90% of mothers could comply with current medical recommendations around breastfeeding, our economy could save $3.7 billion in direct and indirect pediatric health costs, with $10.1 billion in premature death from pediatric disease. We would spend $3.9 billion less per year on infant formula. Additional food for nursing mothers would cost up to $1.6-2.1 billion, and more Baby-Friendly® (World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland/UNICEF, New York, NY) births would cost $0.145 billion. Paid leave would cost $6.2 billion for 12 weeks at 55% pay. Note that current formula company rebates of $2 billion to Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) are equal to 32% of net WIC expenditures.

CONCLUSIONS

Even including paid leave, the net cost to our economy of our suboptimal breastfeeding rates would still be at least $8.7 billion. Paid leave would be expected to improve breastfeeding duration and reduce disparities. The WIC budget is dependent on formula company rebates, a conflicting situation.

The Massachusetts baby-friendly collaborative: lessons learned from an innovation to foster implementation of best practices

Collaborative efforts among hospitals can facilitate the exchange of ideas, provide a forum for discussing the development of new policies or practices or changes to existing policies and practices, and increase the implementation of best practices. In November 2008, the Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition formed a collaborative of maternity facilities wishing to pursue Baby-Friendly designation. Members provided insights from experiences and shared models and examples from outside. We describe highlights from the first 15 months of the Collaborative and present 4 recommendations for overcoming barriers: (1) manage expectations of patients, family/friends, and staff; (2) restrict access to materials that can undermine breastfeeding; (3) adopt the appropriate perspectives to creatively implement change; and (4) bundle, reframe, and harness larger forces. The strategies can be applied across diverse hospital settings.

The burden of suboptimal breastfeeding in the United States: a pediatric cost analysis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

A 2001 study revealed that $3.6 billion could be saved if breastfeeding rates were increased to levels of the Healthy People objectives. It studied 3 diseases and totaled direct and indirect costs and cost of premature death. The 2001 study can be updated by using current breastfeeding rates and adding additional diseases analyzed in the 2007 breastfeeding report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

STUDY DESIGN

Using methods similar to those in the 2001 study, we computed current costs and compared them to the projected costs if 80% and 90% of US families could comply with the recommendation to exclusively breastfeed for 6 months. Excluding type 2 diabetes (because of insufficient data), we conducted a cost analysis for all pediatric diseases for which the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality reported risk ratios that favored breastfeeding: necrotizing enterocolitis, otitis media, gastroenteritis, hospitalization for lower respiratory tract infections, atopic dermatitis, sudden infant death syndrome, childhood asthma, childhood leukemia, type 1 diabetes mellitus, and childhood obesity. We used 2005 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention breastfeeding rates and 2007 dollars.

RESULTS

If 90% of US families could comply with medical recommendations to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months, the United States would save $13 billion per year and prevent an excess 911 deaths, nearly all of which would be in infants ($10.5 billion and 741 deaths at 80% compliance).

CONCLUSIONS

Current US breastfeeding rates are suboptimal and result in significant excess costs and preventable infant deaths. Investment in strategies to promote longer breastfeeding duration and exclusivity may be cost-effective.

Closing the quality gap: promoting evidence-based breastfeeding care in the hospital

Evidence shows that hospital-based practices affect breastfeeding duration and exclusivity throughout the first year of life. However, a 2007 CDC survey of US maternity facilities documented poor adherence with evidence-based practice. Of a possible score of 100 points, the average hospital scored only 63 with great regional disparities. Inappropriate provision and promotion of infant formula were common, despite evidence that such practices reduce breastfeeding success. Twenty-four percent of facilities reported regularly giving non-breast milk supplements to more than half of all healthy, full-term infants. Metrics available for measuring quality of breastfeeding care, range from comprehensive Baby-Friendly Hospital Certification to compliance with individual steps such as the rate of in-hospital exclusive breastfeeding. Other approaches to improving quality of breastfeeding care include (1) education of hospital decision-makers (eg, through publications, seminars, professional organization statements, benchmark reports to hospitals, and national grassroots campaigns), (2) recognition of excellence, such as through Baby-Friendly hospital designation, (3) oversight by accrediting organizations such as the Joint Commission or state hospital authorities, (4) public reporting of indicators of the quality of breastfeeding care, (5) pay-for-performance incentives, in which Medicaid or other third-party payers provide additional financial compensation to individual hospitals that meet certain quality standards, and (6) regional collaboratives, in which staff from different hospitals work together to learn from each other and meet quality improvement goals at their home institutions. Such efforts, as well as strong central leadership, could affect both initiation and duration of breastfeeding, with substantial, lasting benefits for maternal and child health.

Lactation safety recommendations and reliability compared in 10 medication resources

BACKGROUND

Discontinuation of breast-feeding is linked with an increased risk of acute and chronic diseases in children, as well as increased risk of maternal disease. Mothers and physicians often depend on pharmacists for accurate drug information. Their information is only as good as the sources available to them.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the reliability of safety recommendations for drugs used during lactation, based on current research and information, and determine whether resources may be inappropriately advising the interruption of breast-feeding.

METHODS

A comparison of 10 frequently used sources for information on medication used during breast-feeding was done for 14 commonly used drugs. Our sources included the databases used by 2 retail pharmacy chains, available text references, and electronic references. We assessed the number of drugs thought to be safe in breast-feeding for each source. The drugs reviewed included those widely accepted as safe, widely regarded as not safe, and drugs that fit into neither category.

RESULTS

We found that many sources did consider the most recent research. For drugs thought to be unequivocally safe, the 2 retail pharmacy databases gave an alternative recommendation at least 75% of the time.

CONCLUSIONS

If healthcare practitioners are using outdated sources for making safety recommendations to their patients, such a practice may result in many women being inappropriately advised to stop breast-feeding, thus increasing the potential health risks to them and their infants. As the most accessible medication expert, the pharmacist needs to be well educated and continually updated using the most reliable resources for lactation recommendations.

Policies and practices related to breastfeeding in massachusetts: hospital implementation of the ten steps to successful breastfeeding

BACKGROUND

Hospital policies and practices related to breastfeeding may have long-term health effects. The Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding (WHO/UNICEF) provide an evidence-based standard, which may be used to assess individual hospitals. We assessed implementation, and factors related to implementation, of the Ten Steps in Massachusetts hospitals.

METHODS

We surveyed postpartum nurse managers at 43 (88%) of the 49 Massachusetts maternity hospitals by telephone. Survey items characterized hospital policies, breastfeeding education, and support practices. We classified hospital implementation of the Ten Steps as high, moderately high, partial, or low and used Massachusetts Department of Public Health hospital data to analyze factors related to implementation.

RESULTS

Levels of implementation of the Ten Steps ranged from high to partial. Overall, we classified implementation of 2% of hospitals as high, 58% moderately high, 40% partial, and 0% as low. Hospitals with high/moderately high levels of implementation significantly differed from hospitals with partial implementation with respect to pacifier usage (p=0.0017) and postpartum breastfeeding instruction (p=0.0001). Requirement of a physician order for formula was a statistically significant (p=0.02) predictor of Step 1 implementation but did not reach significance (p=0.14) overall. Acceptance of free formula was significantly associated (p=0.03) with overall Ten Steps implementation.

CONCLUSION

Rates of self-reported implementation of the Ten Steps are relatively high in Massachusetts. Step 1 implementation is significantly associated with formula availability, and overall implementation with acceptance of free formula. Continued assessment is needed to confirm these results in larger samples and to examine the relationship of implementation of individual steps, breastfeeding rates, and health outcomes.