Abstract

Breastfeeding is a critical determinant of maternal and infant health. However, initiation and continuation rates remain below national and global targets, particularly among primiparous women in rural settings. Limited access to prenatal education and lactation support contributes to early breastfeeding cessation. This project aimed to improve breastfeeding outcomes through a structured, evidence-based prenatal breastfeeding education intervention for first-time mothers at a rural Midwestern hospital, consisting of a 20-minute virtual video delivered between 33–35 weeks’ gestation focused on breastfeeding benefits, early initiation, positioning and latch, and management of common challenges. A post-intervention design was used to evaluate outcomes among 18 participants who intended to breastfeed. Breastfeeding status was assessed at hospital discharge and at 2 weeks postpartum. At discharge, 44% of participants were exclusively breastfeeding, 50% partially breastfeeding, and 6% formula feeding. At 2 weeks postpartum, exclusive breastfeeding increased to 56%, partial breastfeeding decreased to 22%, and formula feeding increased to 22%, suggesting early postpartum challenges. A chi-square analysis showed no statistically significant difference in feeding method over time, χ²(2, N = 18) = 3.945, p = .139. Participants reported a generally positive breastfeeding experience (M = 1.78, SD = 0.80), indicating experiences between “very well” and “somewhat well”. The intervention was perceived as highly helpful (M = 1.22, SD = 0.43), with 78% rating it “very helpful.” Common challenges included latch difficulties, milk supply, poor weight gain, and hyperbilirubinemia. Findings suggest that prenatal breastfeeding education is a feasible and valued intervention that may improve early breastfeeding outcomes and maternal confidence, though continued postpartum support is essential to address ongoing challenges in rural populations.

Description

NRS 886: Doctoral Scholarly Project III

Author Details

Grace R. Bessmer, DNP(c), BSN, RN - Women's and Children's Nursing with 4 years experience; Linda Hughes, PhD, MS, RN

Sigma Membership

Non-member

Type

DNP Capstone Project

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

Quality Improvement

Research Approach

Mixed/Multi Method Research

Keywords:

Breastfeeding, Breastfeeding Education, Breastfeeding Promotion, Attitudes Toward Breastfeeding, Lactation Support, Primiparous Women, Primiparas, Postpartum, Childbirth Education

Advisor

Linda Hughes

Degree

DNP

Degree Grantor

Nebraska Methodist College

Degree Year

2026

Rights Holder

All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.

Review Type

None: Degree-based Submission

Acquisition

Proxy-submission

Date of Issue

2026-10-14

Full Text of Presentation

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