Yesterday, the Surgeon General, Regina Benjamin released a significant policy document that will hopefully have far reaching effects for the support for breastfeeding.
The Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding outlines the barriers to breastfeeding and steps to eliminate them in the United States.
- Communities should expand and improve programs that provide mother-to-mother support and peer counseling.
-Health care systems should ensure that maternity care practices provide education and counseling on breastfeeding. Hospitals should become more “baby-friendly,” by taking steps like those recommended by the UNICEF/WHO’s Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative.
-Health care systems should ensure that maternity care practices provide education and counseling on breastfeeding. Hospitals should become more “baby-friendly,” by taking steps like those recommended by the UNICEF/WHO’s Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative.
- Clinicians should ensure that they are trained to properly care for breastfeeding mothers and babies. They should promote breastfeeding to their pregnant patients and make sure that mothers receive the best advice on how to breastfeed.
- Employers should work toward establishing paid maternity leave and high-quality lactation -support programs. Employers should expand the use of programs that allow nursing mothers to have their babies close by so they can feed them during the day. They should also provide women with break time and private space to express breast milk.
- Families should give mothers the support and encouragement they need to breastfeed.
- Families should give mothers the support and encouragement they need to breastfeed.
According to the “Call to Action,” breastfeeding protects babies from infections and illnesses that include diarrhea, ear infections, and pneumonia. Breastfed babies are also less likely to develop asthma, and those who are breastfed for six months are less likely to become obese. Mothers themselves who breastfeed have a decreased risk of breast and ovarian cancers.
A study published last year in the journal Pediatrics estimated that the nation would save $13 billion per year in health care and other costs if 90 percent of U.S. babies were exclusively breastfed for six months. Dr. Benjamin added that, by providing accommodations for nursing mothers, employers can reduce their company’s health care costs and lower their absenteeism and turnover rates.
“I believe that we as a nation are beginning to see a shift in how we think and talk about breastfeeding,” said Dr. Benjamin. “With this ‘Call to Action,’ I am urging everyone to help make breastfeeding easier.”
Blossom is committed to supporting moms and their partners in their breastfeeding journey. In addition to being a welcoming space to come relax and take care of baby, Blossom also offers the following resources:
Breastfeeding Basics: A three hour workshop offered frequently at Blossom to prepare pregnant moms and their partners for breastfeeding. Participants receive practical information and support to enhance their breastfeeding experience and help them anticipate and overcome common stumbling blocks that new nursing mothers often encounter. ($69/couple)
Wednesdays, 1:30-3:00pm |$15, drop-in rate; or purchase a Parent-Baby Group pass for $105: 3-months unlimited; $195: 6-months unlimited
Returning to Work: preparing yourself for the next step
One 3-hour class, Sunday, Feb 6 2:00- 5:00pm ($59/couple)
Blossom Birth provides comprehensive lactation support, offering individual lactation appointments, phone and email support. We provide care and support in the full range of lactation issues, including proper latching and positioning, milk supply, weight gains/losses, pumping, supplementation, alternative feeding methods. We also offer breastpump rentals and basic supplies. Lactation appointments and support are provided by our lactation consultants, with appointments available at a variety of times most Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays, and some Saturdays and Mondays. Rates range from $99 to $179, depending on length of the appointment and whether you meet our lactation consultant at Blossom or in your home.
To contact Blossom's Lactation Department, please email blossomlactationsupport@gmail.
Contributed by: Wendy Wright, IBCLC (Blossom Board Member) and Co-founder of Lactation Navigation.
Contributed by: Wendy Wright, IBCLC (Blossom Board Member) and Co-founder of Lactation Navigation.
