First Trimester Breastfeeding Education: Can Early Education Improve Duration in the Military Community

摘要

The intent of this proposed course is to increase opportunities for learning the advantages of breastfeeding initiation and duration for the military family. This is to be accomplished by breastfeeding education during the first trimester of pregnancy or pre-conception with a monthly breastfeeding support group offered. This will introduce breastfeeding to families early and offer social support through the group meetings. The benefits of breastfeeding are many and very well reported. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, 2000, the benefits include: fetal resistance to infectious diseases, enhanced immune system, balanced nutrition and growth, reduced risk for chronic diseases, developmental benefits, improved maternal health, and many socioeconomic benefits. (Department of Health and Human Services, 2000). According to Healthy People 2010, the goal for the United States is that 75% of mothers in the early postpartum period will breast feed their infants, at six months 50% will continue to breastfeed, and at one year 25% will continue (Healthy people 2010). Although breastfeeding in the United States is at an all time high, it has not reached the Healthy People 2010 goal. The intention of offering the proposed course is to increase breastfeeding duration in the military community to approach, or even reach the goals of Healthy People 2010 in the future. This increase should result in a commensurate decline in babies with health issues related to human milk substitutes.