Implementation of Comprehensive Dyadic Perinatal Care During the Postnatal Year.

The United States is experiencing a high societal burden of pregnancy-related and infant morbidity and mortality during the postnatal year. These trends are inherently linked because the 2 members of the parent-infant dyad are interdependent for their well-being. Several systemic factors contribute to suboptimal health outcomes, including health care siloes under the medical specialization paradigm, multiple care transitions, and lack of care coordination during the postnatal year. Despite the clear positive impact of breastfeeding on parent and child health outcomes, as a dyadic specialty, lactation care does not have an obvious home within the siloed United States health care system. The objective of this article is to propose implementation of a comprehensive dyadic care model for birthing parents and infants during the postnatal year, including a focus on provider-level lactation management. Practical issues, such as clinic workflows, financial sustainability, workforce development solutions, and scope of practice issues are discussed. Midwives are ideally positioned to be leaders in the provision of dyadic perinatal care during the postnatal year, with long-term implications for parent and infant health.