Clinically-integrated breastfeeding peer counseling contributes to more equitable hospital-based lactation care

To identify how clinically integrated breastfeeding peer counseling (ci-BPC) addressed gaps in clinical lactation care for publicly-insured patients and patients of color.

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a diverse cohort of 51 clinicians and 35 patients at 3 hospitals in a single health system, 2022-2024. Interviews were analyzed for themes using the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) Research Framework.

Patients and clinicians reported individual and healthcare barriers and facilitators. Patient breastfeeding care needs exceeded inpatient and outpatient clinical staff capacity to deliver evidence-based lactation care. Ci-BPC increased direct lactation care inpatient, and filled gaps in prenatal education and accessible outpatient support.

Ci-BPC can promote equitable clinical lactation care by closing gaps in outpatient and inpatient lactation care delivery to reduce patient breastfeeding barriers. Ci-BPC may be a useful strategy for health systems to meet lactation care needs of publicly-insured and minoritized patients, improve health outcomes, and reduce costs.