Staff support for mothers to provide breast milk in pediatric hospitals and neonatal units.

This paper reports on two surveys of nurses and midwives working in a large pediatric hospital and three neonatal units in London, England, regarding support for mothers to provide breast milk. One hundred and twenty-two pediatric staff and 55 neonatal staff returned the questionnaires. Fifty-three percent of pediatric staff had received no training in breastfeeding during or after nursing school. Twenty-two percent of neonatal staff had no relevant training, yet they frequently were asked to help mothers in providing breast milk for their infant. Some respondents demonstrated lack of relevant knowledge including the importance of breast milk, ideal frequencies for milk expression, and the potential to establish lactation at any time. There was a wide range of comments on the barriers in providing breast milk. These results illustrate the need for appropriate breastfeeding policies and staff training. There is a particular lack of studies based in the United Kingdom on breastfeeding in pediatric units. It is hoped that this article will generate discussion among staff about the breastfeeding support they offer and ways to strengthen it.