Welcome to this month's newsletter!
We all know that one of the barriers to breastfeeding is lack of support services. Primary care providers can help by partnering with lactation consultants, but what might that look like?
Team-based Care!
Team-based LC/PCP care acknowledges:
1. Families want to breastfeed and health care provider support is important for successful breastfeeding.
2. Families experience breastfeeding challenges and need a plan that addresses these difficulties.
3. Education of the breastfeeding family takes time and breastfeeding knowledge. Given PCP's have limited time during their visits and variable breastfeeding education, teaming with a lactation consultant addresses this gap and provides built-in breastfeeding support.
Download this one-page handout to get the conversation started at your practice!
Learn More about Team-based LC/PCP Care
Research Updates
Supporting Breastfeeding Mothers of Preterm Infants
- Micro-, meso-, and macrosystems impact breastfeeding success, so support must address all
- Targeted breastfeeding support, lactation-supportive hospital policies, and community social support are all critical
- from BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 2025
Telehealth for Lactation Care
- Telehealth, as part of a comprehensive strategy, may help counter racial disparities in breastfeeding rates
- This study showed improved rates for Black families of "any" and "exclusive" breastfeeding at 24 weeks in families accessing support via a telelactation phone app
- from JAMA, 2025
Breastfeeding & Maternal Mental Health
- Breastfeeding difficulties contribute to poor maternal mental health
- Prenatal education about what to expect when breastfeeding, along with prompt troubleshooting of any issues is critical
- Additionally, families need providers and community supports who are educated about the impact of breastfeeding difficulties on mental health
- from Scientific Reports, 2025
Helpful Resources
- Postpartum Support International is a critical resource for families, offering a bilingual Spanish/English helpline, directory of mental health practitioners, and trainings for healthcare practitioners. https://postpartum.net/
- One of the practical challenges faced by many families is how to manage lactation in settings of illness and loss. This video and resource list offered through Breastfeeding Medicine of Northeast Ohio equips healthcare providers with tools and resources to share with families experiencing infant loss.
- Donor milk is important for preterm infants and babies who unable to receive their own mother's milk. The Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA) offers this map resource to help you find a milk bank near you.
Responses