Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario

Prenatal and Postpartum Strategies to Enhance Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy and Exclusivity

Prenatal and Postpartum Strategies to Enhance Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy and Exclusivity

Prenatal interventions

  • Providing breastfeeding education on topics such as the importance of breastfeeding, and positioning and latch.
  • Using a solution-orientated approach focusing on areas such as increasing mastery, building confidence by learning      from others, exploring responses to stress, and keeping motivated.
  • Showing breastfeeding videos.
  • Holding breastfeeding workshops in the third trimester.

Postpartum interventions

  • Assess breastfeeding self-efficacy using a validated tool.
  • Provide breastfeeding education in written and multimedia formats.
  • Support and encourage breastfeeding.
  • Provide breastfeeding counselling to answer questions and concerns.
  • Incorporate breastfeeding self-efficacy theoretical principles.
  • Offer practical assistance with positioning and latch.
  • Teach breast milk hand expression.
  • Screen for indications for follow-up assessment by a lactation consultant or physician.
  • Discuss any concerns regarding actual or perceived insufficient milk supply.
Women and Children
Breastfeeding Best Practice Guidelines for Nurses
Point of Care Resources