Facilitators and Barriers to Breastfeeding Among Veterans Using Veterans Affairs Maternity Care Benefits.

Jill InderstrodtKrysttel C StryczekSara E VargasJennifer N CrawfordTaylor HookerAimee R Kroll-DesrosiersValerie MarteenyKate F WallaceKristin Mattocks

Published in: Women's health issues : official publication of the Jacobs Institute of Women's Health (2024)

Veterans in this cohort of 329 veterans who responded to an open-ended breastfeeding question wanted and attempted to breastfeed; however, barriers such as lactation challenges and unsupportive health care providers made it difficult to continue the practice. As the MCC program grows to include more lactation professionals, MCCs may address barriers such as lactation challenges and unsupportive non-VA health care providers. Further program development should focus on addressing these challenges prenatally.

Keyphrases

healthcare
quality improvement
human milk
dairy cows
preterm infants
primary care
palliative care
low birth weight