Validating and prioritizing prenatal breastfeeding education recommendations: A nominal group technique study with postnatal mothers and healthcare professionals

This study highlights the critical need to advance prenatal breastfeeding education in a manner that more effectively supports postnatal mothers while maintaining coherence with existing healthcare frameworks. Findings illustrate a shared commitment among postnatal mothers and healthcare professionals to adopt a more balanced educational model that integrates emotional preparedness, personalized learning pathways, and consistent, standardized messaging. By advocating for the inclusion of partner engagement and addressing broader societal challenges, such as breastfeeding in public, the study promotes a comprehensive and contextually responsive approach to improving maternal and infant health outcomes. Grounded in the WHO's 10 Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, the study provides actionable, evidence-based recommendations for enhancing the delivery of prenatal breastfeeding education within the Irish health system.