Alexandria, Va. (August 15, 2016) - Incorporating candid insights from healthcare providers in five countries, The 2016 Lansinoh Global Healthcare Provider Survey today reveals several noteworthy breastfeeding trends and ongoing barriers among expecting and new moms. The top trend is that 81% of survey participants agree women should consult health experts about breastfeeding techniques well before delivery, ideally in the third trimester. 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.
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 twelve 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.
For this year's survey, Lansinoh, a global leader in breastfeeding accessories, has polled 1,044 healthcare providers working in pre- and post-natal care. 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.
In July 2016, Lansinoh Laboratories, Inc., a leader in breastfeeding accessories, conducted a global survey of healthcare providers who work in pre- and post-natal care. This global online study of 1,044 healthcare providers spanned five countries, investigated the challenges that moms and moms-to-be face when making the decision to breastfeed, and explored techniques to make that decision easier for new moms to start and continue breastfeeding. Credit: Lansinoh Laboratories, Inc.
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%).
"Planning and preparation are crucial keys to success in all aspects of life -- and breastfeeding is no different," explains Gina Cicatelli Ciagne, CLC, and Lansinoh's Vice President of Global Healthcare Relations. "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™."
Ciagne continues, "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."
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.
source: Lansinoh Laboratories, Inc.