Keenan, Samantha. Implementation of the modified breastfeeding attrition prediction tool in a midwifery practice. Retrieved from https://doi.org/doi:10.7282/t3-6552-at19
DescriptionPurpose of Project: World Health Organization, American Academy of Pediatrics, and American College of Nurse-Midwives recommend mothers exclusively breastfeed for the first six months of life. A modified Breastfeeding Attrition Prediction Tool (BAPT) tool was implemented into clinical practice to provide anticipatory guidance to help achieve a successful breastfeeding experience.
Methodology: This quality improvement project provided education about the BAPT, a 27-item questionnaire measuring variables impacting successful breastfeeding: Confidence, social/professional support, and knowledge. A modified-BAPT tool, chart reviews to evaluate administration compliance, and a post-intervention survey was used to evaluate provider satisfaction with the tool.
Results: Sixteen participants completed the BAPT questionnaire. All participants had their surveys scored with tailored breastfeeding education provided by the midwifery providers. BAPT scores ranged from 11-36, with four participants having “no flags” on their scored surveys. Three required knowledge, social support, confidence education, and were also provided local lactation support resources. Most (81/3%) felt that breastfeeding makes returning to work more difficult, more than 50% of mothers felt breastfeeding is more time consuming than formula feeding, and nearly 44% of mothers felt breastfeeding ties you down. Post-intervention provider feedback survey revealed unanimously agreed the BAPT tool helped identify women at risk of not meeting personal breastfeeding goals, and patients responded positively to the BAPT questionnaires and education provided.
Implications for Practice: The results of the literature review reveal that breastfeeding interventions and provider support have a significant impact on breastfeeding intention, self-efficacy, duration, and exclusivity. Having a standard of care for providing breastfeeding guidance by using the BAPT tool, or some other means of breastfeeding support in routine clinical practice changes the way breastfeeding is addressed during pregnancy and meets evidence-based practice recommendations.