Exploring the Role of the Nurse in Supporting Breastfeeding among Indigenous Women in Canada: A Scoping Review of the Literature
Abstract
Indigenous peoples in Canada experience poorer health outcomes than the rest of the Canadian population. Indigenous populations face higher rates of morbidity and mortality from preventable infections and diseases. Breastfeeding is recognized as the optimal form of infant feeding with several health benefits for both infants and mothers who breastfeed. However, Indigenous women have lower breastfeeding rates than non-Indigenous women. Research has identified the need to increase programs and services to better support breastfeeding rates among Indigenous women. Nurses have the potential to offer interventions to support breastfeeding throughout the perinatal period. This scoping review explored the role of the nurse in breastfeeding support in Indigenous populations in Canada. This research identified both the gaps in practice as well as the positive interventions being implemented by Canadian nurses.