Publications

Take a look at some of the current research related to our study.

2024

Implementation of a clinically integrated breastfeeding peer counselor program

Keenan-Devlin, L.S., Hughes-Jones, J.Y., Johnson, T., Hirschhorn, L., Borders, A.E.

We designed a Ci-BPC program with three components; prenatal lactation education, in-patient lactation support, and post-partum support to address breastfeeding disparities. The implementation of Ci-BPC at Northshore Community Health Center (NSCHC) improved breastfeeding duration and intensity for patients who received the intervention. Ci-BPC has the potential to serve as an effective breastfeeding support model.

2024

The Role of clinic-based breastfeeding peer counseling on breastfeeding rates among low-income patients

Awosemusi, Y., Keenan-Devlin, L.S., Griffin Martinez, N., Yee, L.M., Borders, A.E.

This study evaluated the effect of a breastfeeding peer counselor (BPC) program in a low-income clinic on breastfeeding rates among patients. Although the initiation of breastfeeding did not improve, the rate of exclusive breastfeeding during hospital stays significantly increased from 13.7% in 2008 to 32% in 2014, particularly among Black patients. This indicates that BPC programs can help reduce breastfeeding disparities in these populations.

2024

U.S. Breastfeeding Outcomes at the Intersection: Differences in Duration Among Racial and Ethnic groups with varying Educational Attainment in a Nationally Representative Sample

Butler, M.S., Smart, B.P., Watson, E.J., Narla, S.S., Keenan-Devlin, L.S.

This analysis revealed racial disparities within breastfeeding duration. The results showed that participants who are multi-race/other high-educational attainment have the longest breastfeeding duration by 3 weeks and Black low-educational attainment participants exclusively breastfeed for 1 month less than white high-educational attainment participants. In this analysis, low educational attainment refers to participants who completed 12 years or less of an education. High educational attainment is defined as possessing a college degree. 

2023

Clinically Integrated Breastfeeding Peer Counseling to Promote Breastfeeding Equity

Keenan-Devlin, L.S., Smart, B.P., Hirschhorn, L., Meier, P., Jefferson, U., Solomonides, A., Wang, C.E., Handler, A., Silver, R.K. and Borders, A.E.

Ci-BPC aims to reduce disparities in breastfeeding intensity and duration for Black and Hispanic/Latine participants. The primary outcome will be breastfeeding duration. Additional outcomes include the proportion of breastmilk feeds during the delivery admission, at 6-weeks post-delivery, and at 6-months post-delivery. These findings will help patients and stakeholders determine the benefits of accepting and adopting the program and inform policies focused on improving perinatal care and reducing maternal/child health disparities.

2023

Differences in Duration Among Racial and Ethnic Groups With Varying Educational Attainment in a Nationally Representative Sample

Butler MS, Smart BP, Watson EJ, Narla SS, Keenan-Devlin L. U.S. Breastfeeding Outcomes at the Intersection: Differences in Duration Among Racial and Ethnic Groups With Varying Educational Attainment in a Nationally Representative Sample. J Hum Lact. 2023 Jul 31:8903344231186786. doi: 10.1177/08903344231186786. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37522342.

This analysis showed that birthing parents who identify as multiracial/other and have high educational attainment breastfeed for a longer duration compared to white birthing parents with high educational attainment. Additionally, birthing parents who identify as Black and have low-educational attainment breastfeed for one month less than white high educational attainment participants.

2022

Association of maternal race/ethnicity and Education with breastfeeding practices

Smart, Keenan-Devlin, L. S., Butler, M., Grobman, W. A., Wadhwa, P., & Borders, A. (2022). Association of maternal race/ethnicity and Education with breastfeeding practices. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 226(1), S381–S381.

This analysis showed that birthing patients who identify as both people of color (POC) and have less than a high school education are the most likely to provide only formula to their babies when discharged from the hospital when compared to white birthing patients with a bachelor’s degree or more.

2021

Clinically integrated breastfeeding peer counseling and breastfeeding outcomes

Keenan-Devlin, Hughes-Jones, J. Y., & Borders, A. E. B. (2021). Clinically integrated breastfeeding peer counseling and breastfeeding outcomes. Journal of Perinatology, 41(8), 2095–2103.

The implementation of clinically integrated breastfeeding Peer Counseling (ci-BPC) at Evanston Hospital resulted in significant improvement in breastfeeding beyond the six weeks post-delivery among low-income patients. More specifically, there was improvement with breastfeeding outcomes among Black and Latinx patients exposed to ci-BPC, which suggests that it may be an effective strategy for promoting breastfeeding equity.

2019

Early Term Delivery and Breastfeeding Outcomes

Keenan-Devlin, Awosemusi, Y. F., Grobman, W., Simhan, H., Adam, E., Culhane, J., Miller,
G., & Borders, A. E. B. (2019). Early Term Delivery and Breastfeeding Outcomes. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 23(10), 1339–1347.

Early term pregnancy is associated with lower rates of exclusively breastfeeding compared to delivery after 39 weeks’ gestation, with, white women more likely to exclusively breastfeed in comparison to Black and Hispanic participants. Patients enrolled with Medicaid were less likely to exclusively breastfeed as opposed to those enrolled in private insurance.

2016

166: Increasing breastfeeding rates among low income women via a clinic-based breastfeeding peer counselor

Fatunde, Keenan-Devlin, L., Yee, L. M., Martinez, N. G., & Borders, A. (2016). 166: Increasing breastfeeding rates among low income women via a clinic-based breastfeeding peer counselor. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 216(1), S111–S112.

Low income Black women benefited significantly with the implementation of a breastfeeding peer counseling program with exclusive breastfeeding increasing from 13.7% to 32%.

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