Investigating factors influencing decision-making around use of breastmilk substitutes by health care professionals: a qualitative study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Breastfeeding is recognized as the gold standard of infant feeding and nutrition. The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) of infants for the first 6 months of life. A variety of factors may impact breastfeeding practices in-hospital which may continue after hospital discharge, such as the use of breastmilk substitutes (BMS). The Baby-Friendly Initiative (BFI), which aims to promote and support breastfeeding practices, established a target rate of 75% for EBF from birth to hospital discharge. Currently, this target is not being met at The Ottawa Hospital (TOH), indicating there is room for improvement in EBF rates. The purpose of this study is to explore health care professionals (HCP) decision-making around use of BMS and identify factors t

SUBMITTER: Islam M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11234533 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature