Latest Lansinoh Global Healthcare Provider Survey underscores need for breast-feeding education

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - As many as 81% of healthcare providers working in pre- and post-natal care agree that women should consult health experts about breastfeeding techniques well before delivery, ideally in the third trimester, according to the 2016 Lansinoh Global Healthcare Provider Survey released Monday.

Instead, moms-to-be typically wait until they are about to deliver or even after their baby arrives to ask about breastfeeding, according to nearly half of those polled.

"Planning and preparation are crucial keys to success in all aspects of life - and breastfeeding is no different," stated Gina Cicatelli Ciagne,VP global healthcare relations Lansinoh. "Lansinoh strives to support all breastfeeding women and the healthcare providers who treat them. For more than 30 years, we have helped women meet their breastfeeding goals by providing education, advice, and an innovative product line with first-to-market solutions like our new Smartpump."

These survey results highlight the need for breastfeeding education to start earlier in the pregnancy, as breastfeeding is natural, but may not always come naturally. Newborn babies need to be fed, on average, at least eight to 12 times in a 24-hour period, and this can be overwhelming and tiring for a new mom. Given this often-stressful scenario, experts agree that it is easier for a new mom to overcome breastfeeding challenges if she has tips, tricks and solutions ahead of time, and if she already knows where to seek additional support, if it is needed.

Lansinoh's 2016 survey highlights several predominant breastfeeding barriers. Not surprisingly, healthcare providers around the globe rate returning to work as a leading breastfeeding challenge for women (20%). Percentages are higher in countries with less supportive maternity leave policies, such as the U.S. (27%), in contrast with the U.K. (8%) which is deemed more progressive.

Additional barriers include concerns from moms that breastfeeding is not working for their babies (23%) and a lack of awareness about the tools available (21%).

"By encouraging expectant mothers to talk to their healthcare providers about breastfeeding earlier in the process, we hope moms will ultimately be more comfortable with breastfeeding and will realize that they can always ask their healthcare providers for help in achieving their goals," Ciagne said.

To help prompt a conversation with a healthcare provider well in advance of baby's delivery date, Lansinoh has developed a helpful guide of common breastfeeding questions that moms-to-be can use. Additionally, Lansinoh shares general breastfeeding tips and tools for both women and healthcare providers through the company's website and social media outlets.

The study includes the views of obstetricians/gynecologists, midwives, pediatricians, nurses, and lactation consultants from Brazil, France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States.