Hello, my name is Bethany Bates and I am currently finishing my
junior year in nursing at the University of North Dakota and have
really enjoyed being on the Lacnet listserve. I have learned a wealth
of knowledge about breastfeeding. I was looking through the Journal of
Human Lactation and found some information on how the attitudes of
professionals regarding breastfeeding affect the breastfeeding mother.
I would think that professionals who were educated about breastfeeding
would have a positive attitude and want to support and encourage more
moms to breastfeed their infants. I found, however, that even though
nurses had attended a one and a half hour education session designed to
increase breastfeeding rates, create positive beliefs and attitudes
among the staff, that it did increase breastfeeding rates and create
positive beliefs but the attitudes of the staff had no change (Martens,
2000). I found this very surprising that even though the staff was
educated there was not a positive increase in their attitudes regarding
breastfeeding. There was no change at all. The biggest indicator of
whether or not the mother would be properly supported, encouraged and
educated depended upon the level of education, and the attitude the
nurse had about breastfeeding (Bernaix, 2000).
   Another study focused on WIC employees and what influenced their
support of the breastfeeding mom. They found that the more educated the
staff was, the more likely they were to support and have a more
positive attitude toward breastfeeding and encourage mothers to
breastfeeding (Beshgetoor, Larson, LaMaster, 1999).
   I think we have a really great educational background regarding the
breastfeeding basics here at UND. I was wondering if hospitals do have
mandatory sessions for those who do work with the breastfeeding
populations and how this has helped or not helped? I realize I am
amongst professionals who are probably very educated but just wondered
about some of the observations that you have had?
Thanks much and have really enjoyed all of the information I have
gained here at Lacnet.

Bethany Bates, Student Nurse
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, ND

  Bernaix, L. W. (2000). Nurses* attitudes, subjective norms, and
behavioral intentions toward support of breastfeeding mothers. Journal
of Human Lactation, 16(3), 201-290.
   Beshgetorr, D., Larson, S. N., LaMaster, K. (1999). Attitudes
toward breast-feeding among WIC employees in San Diego County. Journal
of the American Dietetic Association, 99(1), 86-88.
   Martens, P. J. (2000). Does breastfeeding education affect
nursing staff beliefs, exclusive breastfeeding rates, and baby-friendly
hospital initiative compliance? The experience of a small, rural
Canadian hospital. Journal of Human Lactation, 16(4), 309-318.

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