Breastfeeding and human lactation: education and curricular issues for pediatric nurse practitioners.

Introduction: This study explores the breastfeeding and human lactation education offered in pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP) masters-level nursing programs.

Methods: An online survey about breastfeeding and human lactation education offered in the PNP curriculum was sent to all PNP programs in the United States with viable contact information (N = 84). The response rate was 42.9%.

Results: All of the respondents indicated that their PNP program curriculum includes the promotion of breastfeeding. However, 5.9% of programs do not offer any courses that incorporate these topics, and 73.5% teach this content in only one to two courses. More than three quarters of programs (81.8%) offer opportunities to counsel expectant mothers on infant feeding choices, promote breastfeeding in the clinical setting, and teach breastfeeding techniques. However, 18.2% of programs do not offer any of these opportunities.

Discussion: The breastfeeding and lactation education offered in PNP programs is inconsistent. Formal incorporation of research-based lactation education into PNP curricula will help to standardize knowledge and aid in the PNP clinical role.