Nursing care following childbirth linked to breastfeeding rates

New parents who receive attentive, supportive nursing care during labor and immediately after childbirth are more likely to exclusively breastfeed their newborn when leaving the hospital, according to a study published in MCN: The American Journal of Maternal/Child Nursing. Exclusive breastfeeding during hospitalization is considered a national quality indicator of maternity care in hospitals. Nurses surveyed for the study reported some facets of nursing care during childbirth were occasionally delayed, unfinished or missed. The researchers recommend maternity units focus on improving nurse staffing in order to avoid missed nursing care. (Newswise news release, 10/15/20)