As interest in expanding outpatient breastfeeding support grows, we are seeing more reports of different models of care, such as in last month's newsletter highlighting an article using a Transition Care Management (TCM) Model led by an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant that improved breastfeeding outcomes.
This month we highlight an article examining the manner (home vs clinic based IBCLC care) in which lactation care is provided and another article utilizing an integrated physician/lactation care to support families at high risk of weaning, such as preterm infants. Check out the links below for more details.
As you explore and evaluate models that may work for your clinic, keep program sustainability in mind. Some practices look to grant funding to get things started, though most likely a long term sustainable system will not depend on grants. On that note, I want to highlight a point from last month's TCM model article. Their program started with grant funding, but the authors' note it was sustained through "support fees, which are negotiated with payers through the network’s portfolio of value-based contracts. Additional financial support comes from contracts with two network affiliated hospitals whose patients receive care through the program."
Tracking outcomes (whether it be breastfeeding rates, patient satisfaction, meetings breastfeeding goals) helps build your case for sustainability, as does understanding your practice's insurance reimbursements.
For more details, please head over to our Resource Hub and remember you can always post questions and share your challenges and successes there.
Also please remember to scroll to the resources and check out the link to submit priority topic suggestions (i.e. breastfeeding) in follow-up to the Lancet commentary Advancing women's, children's, and adolescents' health in the post-2030 era
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Research Updates
Clinic-Integrated IBCLC Care is Associated With Higher Breastfeeding Goal Achievement and Faster Time to Goal Attainment Compared With Home-Visit Care
- Postpartum dyads received either clinic-integrated or home-visit care from an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (N = 100). Families were followed until 8 weeks postpartum
- Breastfeeding goals were achieved by 82% (41/50) of participants receiving clinic-integrated care, compared with 54% (27/50) of participants receiving home-visit care.
- The mean time to goal achievement was 2.5 weeks in the clinic-integrated model compared to 3.5 weeks with home visits.
- from Journal of Human Lactation. 2026 Jul 22
Implementation of Comprehensive Dyadic Perinatal Care During the Postnatal Year
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"Lactation Care Lacks a Home in the Siloed Health Care System" is a key point in this article proposing provider level lactation management in the first year
- The article highlights the health care needs of both parent and infant in the first year of life that need to be addressed in multiple visits and the potential benefit of having dyadic visits that address parent & infant health care needs along with perinatal mental health and lactation care.
Design and Implementation of a Physician-Run Breastfeeding Medicine clinic for High-Risk Dyads embedded Within a Pediatric Practice
- Infant prematurity is one high-risk example which increased risk of premature weaning from breastfeeding highlighted in this paper, that may benefit from integrated physician and lactation care.
- The authors describe their model and implementation
Helpful Resources
- DEADLINE Nov 4. Help prioritize breastfeeding! The WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA and PMNCH are conducting an evidence review and have a Call for suggestions to inform women’s, children’s, and adolescents’ health and well-being beyond 2030. Please help highlight breastfeeding by identifying breastfeeding as a priority. The shared evidence base created by these efforts helps shape future global discussions and action.
- BfMedPrimaryCare Blog- Federally Qualified Health Centers: Expanding Breastfeeding Continuity of Care
- Breastfeeding USA Warmline: (612) 293-6622
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