Barta KR. Ethical Considerations for Hospital-Based Infant Feeding Support.
J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs 2022;
51:243-256. [PMID:
35460604 DOI:
10.1016/j.jogn.2022.03.001]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
I applied a systematic ethical decision-making approach to evaluate how health care professionals in hospital settings should provide infant feeding support after childbirth. Human milk is recommended as the optimal source of nutrition for infants because of the health benefits it provides for infants and their lactating parents. However, health consequences of insufficient oral intake in infants and psychological distress in the lactating parent may occur when infant feeding does not go according to plan. Infant feeding support should be provided in a way that is objective, sensitive, individualized, equitable, and supportive of autonomy and avoids harm. I provide recommendations for ethical infant feeding support that can be applied by individual health care professionals and on postpartum units in hospitals.
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