Registered nurse lactation consultants' experiences supporting maternal mental health: A qualitative descriptive study.

Background: The province of Nova Scotia has the highest rates of perinatal mental health disorders in Canada, and rates of exclusive breastfeeding fall below the Canadian national average. Exclusive breastfeeding is identified as a protective factor against the development of perinatal mental health disorders. Lactation consultant support is associated with increased rates of exclusive breastfeeding and decreased rates of perinatal mental health disorders.

Understanding kangaroo care and its benefits to preterm infants.

The holding of an infant with ventral skin-to-skin contact typically in an upright position with the swaddled infant on the chest of the parent, is commonly referred to as kangaroo care (KC), due to its simulation of marsupial care. It is recommended that KC, as a feasible, natural, and cost-effective intervention, should be standard of care in the delivery of quality health care for all infants, regardless of geographic location or economic status. Numerous benefits of its use have been reported related to mortality, physiological (thermoregulation, cardiorespiratory stability), behavioral (sleep, breastfeeding duration, and degree of exclusivity) domains, as an effective therapy to relieve procedural pain, and improved neurodevelopment.