Start a TBFC Program in Your Practice
FOR PREGNANT WOMEN: The purpose of this program is to educate pregnant women before they deliver. Most pregnant mothers have decided on a method of feeding months before they deliver. Those that choose to breastfeed are motivated and eager to learn. Educating women postpartum is less effective because the postpartum woman is quite fatigued, emotionally labile and stressed. In addition, by properly educating the mother beforehand most breastfeeding problems can be prevented. This program capitalizes on the eagerness of mothers to learn, at a point during which she can learn and when she has the time to learn (because she is waiting for her HCP during a prenatal visit).
There are usually about 13 prenatal visits per pregnancy; this program divides the information into 12 visits. The program is really quite simple. A series of handouts are arranged and divided into 12 packets one packet per visit. The HCP’s medical assistant distributes the handout packet when she or he rooms the mother. The mother is then instructed to read the handouts while waiting for the provider.
The medical assistant then checks off that the mother has been given that visit’s packet. If a visit or packet is missed, it is made up at the next appointment. The HCP is instructed to emphasize certain key points during each visit, if the mother has any concerns or questions about her handout, she can ask the HCP at this time.
Prenatal Visit Checklist
Prenatal Education Checklist – Provider Key
Index of Prenatal Visit Handouts
AFTER THE BABY IS BORN: At the first visit have the mother complete the “Breastfeeding Screening Form“. Next the medical assistant or the Health Care Provider should complete the “Breastfeeding Assessment Form“. Finally, a “Well Breastfed Infant Care Flow Sheet” is provided that incorporates breastfeeding anticipatory guidance and milestones along with the routine care provided during well child visits.
All mothers should be informed of the importance and rational for “Exclusive Breastfeeding.” Documentation should reflect this emphasis by assessing whether the infant is exclusively breastfed, partially breastfed or weaned at each well child visit. This can be noted in the assessment column on the Well Child Flow Sheet along with any other assessments.
The program may be discontinued in the event of early or premature weaning. Document the premature weaning in the assessment column as well as on the problem list at the front of the infant’s chart. Finally, distribute the “How to Bottle-feed Formula” handout.
| Breastfed Well Baby Program | |
| Visit | Handouts: |
| 1st week | Milestones Birth to 2 weeks Feeding Baby Newsletter He can’t be Hungry. He, Just Ate! (Diane Wiessinger order cd for copyrights) First Week Engorgement Back to Sleep |
| 2nd week | Milestones 2-12 weeks Falling in Love Breastmilk storage Safety tips from Birth to 4 months Better than Breastfeeding!(Diane Wiessinger order cd for copyrights) |
| 2 months | Milestones 3-7 mos Senseless Weaning Immunizations Tylenol |
| 4 months | You Should Still Breastfeed-Drugs and Breastfeeeding (Dr. Newman) Illness and Breastfeeding (Dr. Newman) Teeth and Teething and Biting Solids Wait a Bit!(by Diane Wiessinger (order cd for copyrights) Safety Tips from 4-8 months |
| 6 months | Milk Bank Milestones 7 mos -12 mos On Weaning Ibuprofen (Motrin/Advil) Foods for 1st Year Safety Tips from 8-12 months |
| 9 months | As needed |
| 12-18 months | Nursing your Toddler (Dr. Newman) Milestones 1-2 years and Beyond Tandem nursing |
Medical Assistants, please place an X over the visit once handouts have been given.
Australian Breastfeeding Association Handouts