Pediatricians’, Obstetricians’, Gynecologists’, and Family Medicine Physicians’ Experiences with and Attitudes about Breast-Feeding

Abstract

Physicians' attitudes toward breast-feeding are positive. They are expected to practice health-promotion behavior including breast-feeding; however, physicians' breast-feeding rates are low and although they are knowledgeable about breast-feeding their training lacks on didactic depth and hands-on experience. If physicians learn more about breast-feeding and breast-feed exclusively and successfully, the rates in the United States would increase naturally.

Knowledge level, attitude and own experience of health professionals about breastfeeding and breast milk in a city of Turkey: Cross-sectional study

“…And again, the main factor which prevented them from continuing breastfeeding was declared to be their jobs. 22 There are many studies performed on physicians to evaluate their level of knowledge about breast milk and breastfeeding. In a study, the rate of correct answers to the questions related to the issue was 67.8% for pediatricians, 64.3% for family physicians (FP), 72.7% for pediatric residents and 66.8% for family medicine residents.…”

Dr. MILK: Support Program for Physician Mothers

“…When a physician mother reaches her breastfeeding goals, she is more likely to hold positive knowledge and attitudes toward breastfeeding in her medical practice. [8][9][10][11][12] Although positive breastfeeding experiences by physician mothers will enhance their ability to counsel their own patients and peer network, universal physician education in breastfeeding competencies remains critical to providing accurate and reliable medical expertise. 13,14 The Dr.…”

“…High levels of maternal control of feeding can lead to need to measure, analyze, and schedule, which leads to shorter duration of breastfeeding. 21 Reliance on suboptimal medical education for knowledge related to breastfeeding and breastmilk 12,[22][23][24][25] Higher rates of pregnancy complications that may contribute to difficulty breastfeeding 26 Dr. MILK members to freely communicate and share experiences with each other.…”

Evaluation of a Practice Change Using COPE (Creating Opportunities for Parent Empowerment) to Address Maternal Anxiety, Depression and Expectations Related to Preterm Birth and Subsequent Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Admission

“…Multiple health organizations recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six World Health Organization [WHO], 2014). Despite these recommendations many HCP's lack knowledge and supportive skills regarding basic breastfeeding management (Anchondo et al, 2012;Brodribb, Fallon, Kackson, & Hegney, 2008;Pound, Williams, Grenon, Aglipay, & Plint, 2014). However, the results of several research studies indicate that HCP's who provide support and who are knowledgeable in breastfeeding management can improve the breastfeeding rates of the maternal-infant dyads whom they serve (Hillenbrand & Larsen, 2002;Feldman-Winter et al, 2010;Ogburn, Espey, Leeman, & Alvarez, 2005;Watkins & Dodgson, 2010).…”

“…Fishbein's and Ajzen's TRA was used to guide this DNP capstone project. This theory has been successfully utilized as the theoretical framework in studies which focused on breastfeeding education for HCP's (Anchondo et al, 2012;Bernaix et al, 2008;Bernaix et al, 2010). A study of attitude and behavior, the TRA proposes that a person's behavioral intention is dependent upon his or her attitude about the behavior and the subjective norm.…”