Breastfeeding education, treatment, and referrals by female physicians

The female membership of the Mississippi State Medical Association and female physician employees of the Mississippi State Department of Health were surveyed (N = 350) to examine their practice-related decisions relative to breastfeeding; 215 (61%) responded to the survey. Discussion was commonly used for educating patients, with face-to-face demonstrations used by less than half of respondents. Female physicians with breastfeeding experience were more comfortable than others in treating sore nipples, plugged ducts, infected nipples, and inadequate infant weight gain. There was no difference in the proportion of physicians with and without breastfeeding experience who treated mastitis, low milk supply, and poor latch. The largest percentages of referrals to other providers were in response to infants' poor weight gain and poor latch; the fewest were for nipple infections. Seventy percent of the respondents were not taught lactation management in medical school or residency. Better education for physicians regarding lactation management is needed.