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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