Date of Award
Winter 3-20-2020
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Department
Nursing
First Advisor
Shannon Simonovich
Abstract
Introduction: Breastsleeping, defined as co-sleeping while breastfeeding, is a practice commonly employed in breastfeeding families. However, literature examining this concept, its prevalence, and related education for safe breastsleeping is scant. Providers' attitudes surrounding breastsleeping play an essential role in practice and outcomes when caring for breastfeeding patients and families. The purpose of the study was to examine and describe Certified Nurse-Midwives' attitudes and beliefs surrounding breastsleeping.
Methods: An adapted 18-item Nurse Attitudes and Beliefs Questionnaire-Revised (NABQ-R) online-survey that measured breastsleeping attitudes and beliefs of Certified Nurse-Midwives was administered via an online survey platform (Qualtrics). The quantitative analysis utilized SPSS 25 software.
Results: Survey respondents included 754 Certified Nurse-Midwives throughout the U.S. Overall, attitudes of Certified Nurse-Midwives were favorable toward breastsleeping, yielding several statistically significant relationships between respondents and certain demographics, namely age, years in practice, place of practice, and region of practice.
Discussion: Certified Nurse-Midwives' attitudes around breastsleeping were overwhelmingly positive. However, age, years in practice, place of practice, and region of practice impacted Certified Nurse-Midwives' attitudes, leading to implications for patient education on safe co-sleeping practices. Future studies should examine other provider groups' perspectives on breastsleeping, such as nurse practitioners and pediatricians who serve breastfeeding families, and also consider surveying breastfeeding mothers about their breastsleeping behaviors. Improved understanding of this emerging concept is essential to support breastfeeding families, encourage open communication between providers and patient populations, and improve safe co-sleeping in families with infants.
Recommended Citation
Wiesemann, Lucy, "An Examination of Certified Nurse-Midwives’ Attitudes and Beliefs Surrounding Breastsleeping: Implications for Advanced Nursing Practice and Education" (2020). College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations. 360.
https://via.library.depaul.edu/csh_etd/360
SLP Collection
yes