ScholarWorks > HHS > OT > OJOT > Vol. 13 > Iss. 3 (2025)
Credentials Display
Jairrah L. Godsil, OTD, OTR/L, MOT, IBCLC, CBS, ITOT; Julia R. Farrell, OTR/L, IBCLC; Julia Shin, EdD, OTR/L; Cary C. Moore, PhD, OTR/L; Yongyue Qi, PhD, MS; Vanessa D. Jewell, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Abstract
Background: Breastfeeding dyads with medical complexity have lower success with direct breastfeeding. Evidence to support occupational therapists working with this population is limited. This study explored occupational therapists' experiences, training, and interventions for breastfeeding dyads with medical complexity.
Method: Occupational therapists providing clinical breastfeeding services for parents and or children with medically complex conditions participated in this study. The study employed an explanatory, sequential mixed-methods design, consisting of an online survey (N = 102) followed by two 75-min semi-structured focus groups (N = 7).
Results: Occupational therapists with more clinical breastfeeding experience (p = .003) and specialty certifications (lactation, p < .001; non-lactation, p = .03) provided at-breast interventions more frequently. Occupational therapists with lactation certifications reported higher clinical intervention frequencies (p < .001), advocacy (p = .03), and confidence in at-breast interventions (p = .001). Focus group themes of holistic interventions, clinical challenges, and role expansion emerged. Occupational therapists' perspectives revealed missed breastfeeding opportunities experienced by this population.
Conclusion: The study's results provided insight into occupational therapists’ at-breast interventions to support direct breastfeeding for dyads with medical complexity. More education and research are needed to adequately support this vulnerable population. In addition, interprofessional awareness of therapeutic services used by occupational therapists may benefit access and care.
Recommended Citation
Godsil, J. L., Farrell, J. R., Shin, J., Moore, C. C., Qi, Y., & Jewell, V. D. (2025). Breastfeeding Interventions for Dyads with Medical Complexity: A Mixed Methods Study. The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 13(3), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.15453/2168-6408.2321
Comments
The authors declare that they have no competing financial, professional, or personal interest that might have influenced the performance or presentation of the work described in this manuscript.