Lactation Support for People Who Are Incarcerated: A Systematic Review

Authors

Kathryn Wouk, Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
Jaslyn Piggott, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.
Sarah Towner Wright, Health Sciences Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
Aunchalee E. Palmquist, Carolina Global Breastfeeding Institute, Department of Maternal and Child Health, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
Andrea Knittel, Division of General Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

11-1-2022

Journal

Breastfeeding medicine : the official journal of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine

Volume

17

Issue

11

DOI

10.1089/bfm.2022.0138

Keywords

breastfeeding; correctional sites; equity; incarceration; lactation; policies and procedures

Abstract

Background: Lactation support, defined here as the access to educational resources, supplies, mental health and psychosocial support, skilled lactation counseling, and peer support, has been identified as critical to optimal health outcomes for birthing parents and infants. People who give birth while incarcerated are likely to receive suboptimal lactation support. The purpose of this review is to explore the literature on lactation support for incarcerated people to identify existing programs and policies, gaps in lactation support and ways to address the gaps, and incarcerated people's perspectives on breastfeeding and lactation support. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of the peer-reviewed literature to identify studies that addressed two main concepts: (1) breastfeeding and (2) incarcerated populations in the United States. Results: After meeting the eligibility criteria, 29 studies were included in the qualitative synthesis of the findings. Studies highlight the importance of supporting birthing people who want to provide milk to their infants in a way that is desired, psychologically safe, and structurally supported. Programs are needed to delay or prevent parent-infant separation after birth, provide education around breastfeeding misconceptions, and link to resources and ongoing support for both breastfeeding and milk expression. Implementation of breastfeeding programs may be most effectively undertaken with clear policies and dedicated leadership either internally or through community or health care partnerships. Discussion: This review highlights the policies and practices that hinder adequate lactation support for birthing parent-infant dyads who are incarcerated and describes feasible policies, education, and clinical support that can be used to improve care.

APA Citation

Wouk, Kathryn; Piggott, Jaslyn; Towner Wright, Sarah; Palmquist, Aunchalee E.; and Knittel, Andrea, "Lactation Support for People Who Are Incarcerated: A Systematic Review" (2022). GW Authored Works. Paper 2010.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/2010

Department

School of Medicine and Health Sciences Resident Works