Advancing health visiting practice to manage infant feeding difficulties

Abstract

Providing families with advice and support on infant feeding is a key aspect of the health visiting role. While health visitors hold a wealth of knowledge around this topic, limitations in practice can force them to signpost parents elsewhere. Current health policy in Wales envisions that resources will be used creatively and effectively to provide quality services that are closer to home for service users. A review of the literature demonstrated that both parents and health professionals would like clear, consistent and accessible advice and support regarding managing infant feeding difficulties. It is proposed that an infant feeding support service, led by a specialist health visitor with advanced practice skills such as non-medical prescribing, could help to address this need, and meet local and national policy objectives.