Abstract

Exclusive breastfeeding can be challenging to maintain. At the project site there was an inconsistent process for breastfeeding support, so an evidence-based solution was sought. The purpose of this quantitative, quasi-experimental quality improvement project was to determine if or to what degree the implementation of the World Health Organization (WHO) Guideline’s Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) Step Four would impact exclusive breastfeeding rates (EBFRs) when compared to current practice among adult postpartum patients in an acute care hospital in Southern California over four weeks. Nola Pender’s middle-range nursing theory utilizing the health promotion model (HPM), and Kurt Lewin’s change theory provided the project’s theoretical underpinnings. The total sample size was 318, with n = 150 in the comparative group and n = 168 in the implementation group. Data were extracted from the electronic health record. A chi-square test was used and showed X2(1, N = 318) = 4.18, p = .041, and was both statistically and clinically significant. Clinical significance was further noted with an 11.4% increase in exclusive breastfeeding rates. Based on these findings, the WHO Guideline’s BFHI Step Four may impact EBFRs in this population. Recommendations include maintaining the intervention at the project site, providing consistent nursing education and cultural competency training, and disseminating the results.

Author Details

Camille Chua, DNP, MSN, RN, PHN

Sigma Membership

Chi Beta

Type

DNP Capstone Project

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

Quality Improvement

Research Approach

N/A

Keywords:

Exclusive Breastfeeding, Post-Partum Patients, Lactation

Advisor

Vijayarani Suresh

Second Advisor

Beverly Holland

Degree

DNP

Degree Grantor

Grand Canyon University

Degree Year

2022

Rights Holder

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All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository.

All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.

Review Type

None: Degree-based Submission

Acquisition

Proxy-submission

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