This study investigates how a Breastfeeding Mothers Bill of Rights and a law requiring public reporting of hospital-specific breastfeeding rates affect changes in hospital breastfeeding policies and maternity care practices in New York.
Through semi-structured interviews, qualitative analysis, and surveys, the data to explore attitudes and incentives that motivate hospital decision-makers to make changes will be merged with repeat measures of hospital breastfeeding practices, policies, and outcomes. The findings of this public health law research project may identify deficiencies or opportunities for changes to state laws or hospital regulations to improve hospital policy, performance monitoring, compliance, staff training and/or hospital practices to improve public health outcomes, specifically breastfeeding outcomes.