The percentage of clients who initiated breastfeeding at birth has fluctuated significantly over the past seven months. While August and January showed perfect outcomes at 100%, other months dropped as low as 63% in December and 69% in November. These dips may reflect challenges such as staff transitions, inconsistent hospital support, or documentation gaps in the early postpartum period. The rebound in January suggests that when conditions allow for continuity of doula support and hospital coordination, breastfeeding initiation rates improve. The recent dip to 82% in February 2025, while higher than prior lows, indicates that continued attention is needed to stabilize and improve early lactation outcomes.

Doulas are key partners in supporting immediate postpartum breastfeeding, especially when they can remain present at the hospital after birth. Hospital nurses, lactation consultants, and birth providers also play an essential role in encouraging and enabling breastfeeding initiation within the first hours. Internally, program coordinators and evaluators help track this data, identify trends, and ensure that clients with missed opportunities for support are followed up with during early postpartum visits.

Hands-on doula support in the hours after delivery is often a critical factor in whether breastfeeding begins successfully. When doulas can stay until after birth, model latch support, and help explain newborn feeding cues, clients are more confident in initiating breastfeeding. Clear communication between doulas and hospital staff about the doula's role helps foster a supportive environment. Prenatal education that prepares clients for what to expect and builds realistic expectations around the first feed is also a proven strategy.

To improve and stabilize breastfeeding initiation rates, SisterWeb can strengthen its partnerships with hospitals to ensure doulas are supported in staying through early postpartum hours. Doula training refreshers focused on latch support and communication strategies with hospital staff may also help. Ensuring birth plan discussions include client preferences around feeding—and reinforcing this with hospital providers—can make a difference in the moment. Finally, better documentation and debriefs after birth can help the team identify when and why missed initiations occur, leading to improved targeted follow-up and systems-level changes.