Proposal for a Module-Based Breastfeeding Training for Obstetrics and Neonatal Nurses at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC)

Abstract

The mother’s milk has multiple benefits that extend well beyond a child's early years to impact the breastfeeding mother and the entire family. Greater breastfeeding rates have the potential to have a significant impact on global health as well as the global economy and environment. Unfortunately, despite these advantages, breastfeeding rates are still low in many countries. Lebanon is among the countries with low breastfeeding rates. Inadequate clinician education and training has been identified as a key barrier to breastfeeding. This module-based training proposal is intended for the Clinical and Professional Development Centre to equip the obstetrics and neonatal registered nurses at the American University of Beirut Medical Centre with knowledge and skills needed to promote breastfeeding practices. The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, developed by the World Health Organization to promote and support breastfeeding, will be used as the guideline to build the modules. I resorted to the ADDIE (analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation) model to develop the proposed training program. The program includes a detailed training syllabus, divided into three modules of 10 hours duration. The program addresses 3 major, yet basic components of breastfeeding: introduction to breastfeeding, training skills on initiating breastfeeding, and breastfeeding challenges. A monitoring and evaluation strategy is also developed to evaluate and assure the training is effective. A positive breastfeeding rate among mothers delivering at AUBMC is the ultimate anticipated outcome of this project. This to be achieved by having competent and skilful obstetric and normal neonatal nurses at AUBMC to support new mothers in breastfeeding.