Breastfeeding Support

Improving Hospital Breastfeeding Support – Implementation Toolkit

Studies have shown that breastfeeding benefits both mother and infant.  Breastfeeding boosts a baby’s immune system to help minimize the risks of common infant illnesses. Research suggests that sustained breastfeeding may also decrease the risk for childhood obesity.  In addition, breastfeeding is beneficial to mothers; those who breastfeed have lower risk for breast and ovarian cancers, diabetes and heart disease
This toolkit, developed by the Care Management Institute at Kaiser Permanente, assists health care organizations and hospital teams in promoting breastfeeding in inpatient health care settings.  The toolkit includes:

• Evidence-based practices
• Processes used by Kaiser Permanente improvement teams to meet the needs of their patients
• Strategies around leadership engagement, measurement, planning and ongoing improvement, patient-centeredness, and sustainability
• Additional templates, tools, and videos

View or download the
Kaiser Permanente Breastfeeding Toolkit (pdf, 4.19mb)

Additional Resources:

Tools:

The following zip files provide the templates and tools from the toolkit in their original file formats (e.g., PowerPoint, Excel, etc…).

• Tools applicable to Baby-Friendly approach (zip, 56.5mb)
• Tools applicable to Breastfeeding Collaborative approach (zip, 43.1mb)

Videos:

Kaiser Permanente Sunnyside Takes Nap Time Seriously

Helping a New Mother Stay Connected to Her Premature Baby

Top Five Things Moms Should Know About Breastfeeding

Articles:

The Burden of Suboptimal Breastfeeding in the United States: A Pediatric Cost Analysis
A study describing current pediatric care costs compared to projected costs if more US families were to exclusively breastfeed for 6 months, finding that $13 billion per year could be saved if 90% of families meet breastfeeding recommendations.

Baby-Friendly Hospital Practices and Meeting Exclusive Breastfeeding Intention
A research article concluding that two-thirds of mothers who intend to exclusively breastfeed are not meeting their goals, though increased supportive hospital practices can help more mothers achieve their exclusive breastfeeding intentions.

Cost Comparison of Baby Friendly and non-Baby Friendly Hospitals in the United States
An economic assessment of costs associated with obtaining Baby-Friendly designation finding that becoming Baby-Friendly is relatively cost-neutral for a typical hospital.

Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk
The American Academy of Pediatrics official breastfeeding policy statement, which delineates various ways in which pediatricians can promote, protect, and support breastfeeding in the hospital, medical school, community, and nation.

The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding
US Department of Health and Human Services report that describes the importance of breastfeeding and specific steps people can take to participate in a society-wide approach to support mothers and babies who are breastfeeding.