BREASTFEEDING MEDICINE Volume 10, Number 5, 2015 ª Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. DOI: 10.1089/bfm.2015.0059
Racial Disparities in Breastfeeding Tod J. Rothschild, Aleksandr Fuks, and Marcy Stein-Albert
Breastfeeding as the default feeding order and a requirement to have physician orders for formula Elimination of ‘‘free formula’’ Engaging family members in the education process Establishing ongoing postdischarge support via pediatrics, hospital support groups, and community partners
Dear Editor:
T
hank you for your interesting and thoughtprovoking article on racial disparities in breastfeeding.1 Queens Hospital Center is part of the Health and Hospital Corporation and serves a racially and ethnically diverse and economically disadvantaged population. We implemented a multidisciplinary approach to improve initiation, exclusivity, and duration of breastfeeding in our population. We engaged obstetricians, prenatal staff, labor and delivery staff, postpartum staff, nursing, social work, hospital leadership, and ancillary services. Our approach included:
Developing a comprehensive breastfeeding policy and procedure Forming a multidisciplinary breastfeeding team Monthly meetings Regularly reviewing breastfeeding statistics and modifying policies Educating ALL staff (obstetricians, nurses, and pediatricians) regarding breastfeeding Development of ‘‘breastfeeding champions’’ Collaboration with the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children and other community partners Breastfeeding education for patients in the antenatal period in a culturally sensitive manner with languageappropriate materials Rooming-in as the standard for the postpartum floor
Our breastfeeding initiation rates in labor and delivery improved from 22% in 2007 to 90% in March 2015. Our ‘‘exclusive’’ breastfeeding rates (by The Joint Commission definition) improved from 12% in 2007 to 67% in March 2015. We were the third hospital in New York City to achieve ‘‘Baby Friendly’’ status in 2014. Reference
1. Jones KM, Power ML, Queenan JT, et al. Racial and ethnic disparities in breastfeeding. Breastfeed Med 2015;10: 186–196.
Address correspondence to: Tod J. Rothschild, MD Queens Hospital Center ICAHN School of Medicine at Mount Sinai 82-68 164 Street Jamaica, NY 11432
Queens Hospital Center, ICAHN School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Jamaica, New York.
286
E-mail: [email protected]
Racial Disparities in Breastfeeding Tod J. Rothschild, Aleksandr Fuks, and Marcy Stein-Albert
Breastfeeding as the default feeding order and a requirement to have physician orders for formula Elimination of ‘‘free formula’’ Engaging family members in the education process Establishing ongoing postdischarge support via pediatrics, hospital support groups, and community partners
Dear Editor:
T
hank you for your interesting and thoughtprovoking article on racial disparities in breastfeeding.1 Queens Hospital Center is part of the Health and Hospital Corporation and serves a racially and ethnically diverse and economically disadvantaged population. We implemented a multidisciplinary approach to improve initiation, exclusivity, and duration of breastfeeding in our population. We engaged obstetricians, prenatal staff, labor and delivery staff, postpartum staff, nursing, social work, hospital leadership, and ancillary services. Our approach included:
Developing a comprehensive breastfeeding policy and procedure Forming a multidisciplinary breastfeeding team Monthly meetings Regularly reviewing breastfeeding statistics and modifying policies Educating ALL staff (obstetricians, nurses, and pediatricians) regarding breastfeeding Development of ‘‘breastfeeding champions’’ Collaboration with the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children and other community partners Breastfeeding education for patients in the antenatal period in a culturally sensitive manner with languageappropriate materials Rooming-in as the standard for the postpartum floor
Our breastfeeding initiation rates in labor and delivery improved from 22% in 2007 to 90% in March 2015. Our ‘‘exclusive’’ breastfeeding rates (by The Joint Commission definition) improved from 12% in 2007 to 67% in March 2015. We were the third hospital in New York City to achieve ‘‘Baby Friendly’’ status in 2014. Reference
1. Jones KM, Power ML, Queenan JT, et al. Racial and ethnic disparities in breastfeeding. Breastfeed Med 2015;10: 186–196.
Address correspondence to: Tod J. Rothschild, MD Queens Hospital Center ICAHN School of Medicine at Mount Sinai 82-68 164 Street Jamaica, NY 11432
Queens Hospital Center, ICAHN School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Jamaica, New York.
286
E-mail: [email protected]
