The Impact of Social Media on Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding

Overview

Social media is a prominent source of information and access to everything from news and commerce to health advice, recipes, and keeping in touch with people all over the world. New parents are among those individuals who widely use many social media platforms and do so for information and guidance. Research has shown that parents have an increased use of social media after welcoming their new child, sometimes checking their accounts several times per day. One of the more popular topics for new parents to seek out information about is breastfeeding/chestfeeding. Often this is done by joining different breastfeeding/chestfeeding groups which can provide not only guidance and support but also a sense of community. While new parents may find social media beneficial for breastfeeding/chestfeeding information, it may also become a source of stress rather than being a valuable resource because of misinformation that is being provided.

This webcast addresses why parents seek out breastfeeding/chestfeeding information on social media and its impact. It will also look at how the feeding choices of parents and mental health are influenced by the content they see on social media, as well as the predatory marketing tactics of non-World Health Organization-code compliant companies. Additionally, strategies for professionals to utilize social media to reach out to parents to promote evidence-based information about breastfeeding/chestfeeding will be discussed.

Recording Coming Soon

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Speakers

Tyra Gross, PhD, MPH
Associate Professor of Public Health
Xavier University of Louisiana

Kimberly Seals Allers
Journalist/Author/Maternal Health Tech Founder
Creator of IRTH App & Co-Founder, Black Breastfeeding Week

Learning Outcome and Objectives

As a result of participation in this activity, the learner will have increased and enhanced their knowledge and competence on how to appropriately provide breastfeeding/chestfeeding support through social media to positively influence breastfeeding/chestfeeding intention and duration rates.

By the end of the activity, learners will be able to:

Describe the current social media platforms used by parents for breastfeeding/chestfeeding support and information.
Summarize the current evidence of the impact that technology and social media have on infant feeding choices and the relationship between the breastfeeding/chestfeeding dyad.
Explain how the infant feeding choices of parents are influenced by content presented on social media and marketed by infant formula companies.
List the ways professionals can use social media to provide evidence-based breastfeeding/chestfeeding education and support to minimize the risk of negative content.

Activity Materials

Evaluation, Post-Test and Certificate

Evaluation and Continuing Education Credits

Continuing Education Credits

To Obtain Continuing Education Credits

Each participant interested in CE credits must watch the activity, complete an evaluation and post-test, which is available above under "Evaluation, Post-test for CE Credits". A score of 80% and above on the post-test will generate a certificate indicating the requested credits.

Criteria for Successful Completion:
Learners must attend 100% of this activity to be awarded full continuing education credits /contact hours.

Disclosure Statements

Kimberly Seals Allers disclosed that Narrative Nation, which she founded, accepted sponsorship (2023) from ‘Bobbi for Change’, the social impact arm of Bobbie (infant formula company) to support their National Irth Ambassador Program, in partnership with the National Black Doula Association, for wrap-around support for Irth's doula ambassadors, including mental health therapists and professional development credits.

All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated.

None of the other planners, moderator, and presenters have any financial arrangements or affiliations with any ineligible companies whose products, research or services may be discussed in this activity.

No commercial funding has been accepted for this activity.

Continuing Medical Education Credits

The College of Integrated Health Sciences, University at Albany is accredited by the Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The College of Integrated Health Sciences, University at Albany designates this enduring material for a maximum of 2.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Continuing Medical Education Credits are offered until October 31, 2025.

Continuing Nurse Education Contact Hours

University at Albany College of Integrated Health Sciences, is approved with distinction as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the Northeast Multistate Division Education Unit, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
This offering is approved for 2.0 nursing contact hour(s).

Nursing Contact Hours are offered until March 23, 2025.

Certified Health Education Specialist Contact Hours

Sponsored by the College of Integrated Health Sciences,, University at Albany, SUNY, a designated provider of continuing education contact hours (CECH) in health education by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. This program is designated for Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES®) and/or Master Certified Health Education Specialists (MCHES®) to receive up to 2.0 total Category I contact education contact hours. Maximum advanced-level continuing education contact hours available are 0. Continuing Competency credits available are 2.0. Provider ID# 99086.

Continuing Education Contact Hours are offered until October 31, 2025.

Certified in Public Health

This event is sponsored by the College of Integrated Health Sciences,, University at Albany, an approved provider of CPH Renewal Credits by the National Board of Public Health Examiners.
This offering is approved for 2.0 Certified in Public Health Renewal Credits.

CPH Renewal Credits are offered until October 31, 2025.

Lactation Continuing Education Recognition Points (L-CERPs)

CERPs are allocated by IBLCE, Approval Number C2024217. This activity has been approved for 2.0 L-CERPs.

L-CERPs are offered until October 7, 2025.