Welcome! Primary care support of breastfeeding....
What you say and how you counsel about breastfeeding matters!
The US Preventive Services Task Force released an updated evidence report and systematic review report on interventions to support breastfeeding (JAMA April 2025) which included 90 randomized controlled trials. The USPSTF noted that "interventions delivered by professionals and peers... can increase the proportion of women who continue any breastfeeding or exclusive breastfeeing up to 6 months postpartum." It maintained its "B" recommendation for "Primary Care Behavioral Counseling Interventions" for primary care providers (PCP) to provide interventions or referrals, during pregnancy and after birth, to support breastfeeding.
Most of the breastfeeding support in this review included formal education and support provided by professionals--including physicians, nurses and lactation providers. The interventions ranged from 1 day of support to 1 year of ongoing support with a median range of 4 sessions. Overall, the report concluded "there was a wide range of approaches that were shown to improve rates of breastfeeding... The interventions offered were diverse.... It is likely that the effectiveness of any given intervention is dependent on the broader context of the target population and setting in which the support takes place."
The report highlights the important role primary care practices have in supporting breastfeeding and is a helpful resource for you as you advocate for the changes needed at your practice to provide this care.
A JAMA editorial by Demirci et al reinforces that "Primary care clinicians and health care staff can play a vital role in advocating for systems- and structural level, evidence-based intereventions that reduces disparities..." Yet clarifies that, "primary care... must improve their knowledge and skills in breastfeeding management and counseling" so that we are not part of the problem. We have an opportunity to be leaders in evidence-based breastfeeding support.
This is exactly why we're offering this newsletter, as supplement to Primary Care Breastfeeding Support: The First Weeks Course! In the course, you receive practical training to provide needed breastfeeding support and navigate challenges with your patients in the first week postpartum.
Read on for this month's research highlights from the recent Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine Conference, along with resources to bring to your practice and to the families you serve.
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Research Updates
Strategies & Best Practices for Supporting Breastfeeding Families in the US
- This consensus report includes sections on: implementing breastfeeding support in primary care settings, explaining insurance coverage and reimbursement standards, and emphasizing policies & interventions that are critical to meet goals of exclusive breastfeeding through 6 months and beyond.
- Using a lifecourse perspective, this report addresses breastfeeding support from birth through return to work or school, including funding mechanisms.
- From National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025.
Provider Survey of BFLM Practices
- This recent national survey of breastfeeding and lactation medicine (BFLM) providers aims to clarify this emerging area of expertise, including details about clinical care and perceived barriers.
- Info gathered includes length of visits, type of reasons for needs and referral, in addition to offering guidance for common question like: How long of visit is needed? and What billing codes are used?
- From Breastfeeding Medicine 2025.
Lactation Consultant Interventions
- This 2025 JAMA Pediatrics review and meta-analysis of Lactation Consultant (LC) interventions shows LC care as protective of exclusive breastfeeding.
- More intensity helps! More visits with an LC were more effective at reducing rates of breastfeeding cessation.
Helpful Resources
- Find a Lactation Consultant Directory from the International Lactation Consultant Association, to find a board-certificed LC near you
- Through Breastfeeding Medicine Primary Care, we provide a 6-Point Practice Assessment, along with a full survey to bring to your practice to help you start assessing providers' attitudes about & readiness for improved breastfeeding support: Get People Talking!
- Interested in becoming an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant? Find out how from the IBCLC Commission.
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