Running head: INADEQUATE SELF-EFFICACY, EXCLUSIVITY AND DURATION

Inadequate Self-Efficacy, Exclusivity and Duration of Breastfeeding in Primiparous Mothers
Erika Warren
Grand Canyon University: NRS 441V Professional Research Project
August 12, 2012

Inadequate Self-Efficacy, Exclusivity and Duration of Breastfeeding in Primiparous Mothers When addressing the topic of breastfeeding there is one thing that is indubitable, that breast milk is the best option for feeding a newborn. The numerous benefits of breastfeeding have been studied and documented and the practice of breastfeeding has been embraced and is recommended by nearly all health organizations world-wide as the feeding method of choice. Breast milk provides nutrients and illness combating antibodies as well as being easier to digest. Some research has shown breast milk to have far reaching benefits such as reducing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), childhood leukemia, atopic dermatitis, and Type 1 diabetes (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health, 2011). Yet despite the evidence, the number of women who exclusively breastfeed for at least 6 months, primiparous mothers in particular falls short of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommendation (American Association of Family Physicians News Staff, 2010). There are many factors that contribute to the lack of breastfeeding initiation or premature discontinuation, one of which is lack of information or support for the mother during the immediate post-partum period. There needs to be an intervention to improve the initiation and duration of breast-feeding that includes instruction about breast feeding knowledge, practical skills and techniques to address common difficulties (Guise, Palda & Wathen, 2004). As many first time mothers do not know the right questions to ask or may be hesitant to ask, a tool for opening dialog and providing consistent and accurate information, and promotion of breastfeeding for new mothers during the immediate post-partum period, such as a survey, would be a good start.

References
American Association of Family Physicians News Staff. (2010, April 23). Following breastfeeding recs could save US $13 billion each year. Retrieved on August 9, 2012 from http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/publications/news/news-now/clinical-care-research/20100422breastfeeding-peds.html
Guise, J., Palda, V., Wathen, C. (2004). Interventions to promote breast-feeding: Applying the evidence in clinical practice. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 170(6), pg 976-978. Retrieved August 10, 2012 from http://ehis.ebscohost.com.library.gcu.edu:2048/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=54d92997-3c64-4e9b-8cf0-962b20721628%40sessionmgr114&vid=35&hid=115
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health. (2011). Breastfeeding. Retrieved August 13, 2012 from http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/why-breastfeeding-is-important/