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

U.S. veterans of childbearing age represent one of the fastest growing populations using Veterans Affairs (VA) health care. The VA does not provide obstetric care directly but pays for VA-enrolled veterans to obtain outside obstetric care. The VA also provides maternity care coordination (MCC) services, including lactation support. Breastfeeding benefits mothers and babies; however, previous research shows that veteran mothers quit exclusive breastfeeding earlier than the American Academy of Pediatrics and World Health Organization recommendation of 6  months.

Source: Womens Health Issues - February 6, 2024 Category: Primary Care Authors: Jill Inderstrodt, Krysttel C. Stryczek, Sara E. Vargas, Jennifer N. Crawford, Taylor Hooker, Aimee R. Kroll-Desrosiers, Valerie Marteeny, Kate F. Wallace, Kristin Mattocks Tags: Original Article Source Type: research