| World Breastfeeding Week 2003
Reports |
WIC Program of the Metropolitan Public Heath Department of
Nashville and Davidson County Celebrate WBW.
Marianne Greenwood, RN, IBCLC, a WIC Breastfeeding
Coordinator, reports that on July 29, 2003 the WIC Program of
the Metropolitan Public Heath Department of Nashville and
Davidson County, Tennessee, USA, celebrated World
Breastfeeding Week with its Second Annual Public Forum. The
purpose of the forum was to:
1. encourage breastfeeding in Nashville
2. achieve the goals as set forth by the Surgeon General for
the year 2010, and
3. assist in reducing the racial disparity among infants.
The format for the forum this year was similar to a talk show
with keynote speakers and a panel of mothers and babies who
enjoy breastfeeding. The comments from the participants
indicated that they enjoyed the relaxed format and felt they
were more knowledgeable after attending.
Next year the WIC Breastfeeding Program plans to provide
forums at two different centers during World Breastfeeding
Week. At one of the centers, the presentation will be
delivered in the Spanish language.
Download English version of
presentation.
The "Nursing Nook"
Kathy Douglas, RNC, IBCLC, of the Southern New Mexico
Breastfeeding Task Force shared her group's success in
persuading a local shopping mall to establish a comfortable
space for breastfeeding mothers. With satisfaction, Kathy
reported that, "It opened just in time for World Breastfeeding
Week!"
The "Nursing Nook" is a bench partially sheltered by
ribbon-entwined lattice. In the state of New Mexico, USA,
women are legally entitled to breastfeed their children in any
location where the mother is authorized to be present.
However, many American women feel uncomfortable breastfeeding
in public. The "Nursing Nook" at the shopping mall is not
intended to exclude mothers and babies from public places, but
to increase the comfort level of those who do not feel
comfortable breastfeeding openly. Congratulations to the
Southern New Mexico Breastfeeding Task Force.
British Columbia, Canada
What do Kodiak, Alaska, North Vancouver, British Columbia,
Austin, Texas and Hilo, Hawaii have in common? "The 2003
Breastfeeding Challenge." On October 4, 2003 at 11:00am,
mothers and babies at over 100 sites across Canada and the
United States, will compete to set a record for the most
babies breastfeeding at one time. Last year, 47 sites across
Canada took part with the Yukon winning the Challenge. This
year numerous American locations have joined in this
breastfeeding health promotion event. The region (state,
province, territory or country) with most babies participating
wins the Challenge. To level the playing field between large
and small, each region's participation is calculated as a
ratio to their birth rate.
Why this challenge? Two of the biggest hurdles for mothers
continue to be lack of support by the community. The Challenge
promotes community awareness and support of breastfeeding
women and children.
This event takes place during the celebration of World
Breastfeeding in Canada. It is sponsored by the Quintessence
Foundation, a non-profit group providing education to parents
and professionals about breastfeeding. BC Women's, the largest
maternity center in Canada is taking part.
Most current health care news focuses on fiscal restraint and
the resulting shortages. The Breastfeeding Challenge presents
positive news by promoting good health with lifetime benefits
resulting in a positive effect on health care costs. Lactation
consultants and other health professionals play a key role in
health promotion. To participate register by checking out the
Quintessence website: www.babyfriendly.ca.
UNICEF and Ministry of Public Health celebrate World
Breastfeeding Week
Iman El-Zein El-Salah, President of the Lebanese Alliance for
Breastfeeding Action (LABA), sends the following report.
We would like to inform you about activities during August
2003 celebrating World Breastfeeding Week in coordination with
UNICEF and Ministry of Public Health.
We held media programs on six local television stations seen
abroad and one radio station. These programs promoted the
goals, challenges and opportunities related to breastfeeding
in a globalized world. Some stations gave time to talk about
preparation of pregnant women for breastfeeding, including
successful start-up and care for breastfeeding problems. The
global strategy and Lebanese code amendment was stressed. Also
a summarized translated press message was disseminated to main
newspapers on WABA Message: "Breastfeeding in a globalized
world, for Peace and Justice".
A lawyer joined LABA and started working on the Lebanese code
to
suggest an amendment needed related to International law and
its resolutions. A health professional and a lawyer are
supported by IBFAN-GIFA to attend the training course on the
code in Malaysia. Also UNICEF supported a lawyer to attend the
course. A strong start was begun to enforce the Lebanese Law
concerning marketing of breast milk substitutes.
Finally, eight parents'meetings were held to disseminate
information on children's nutrition during the first two years
of life in all parts of Lebanon. These meetings were held by
speakers trained by LABA professionals in coordination with
UNICEF, Ministry of Public Health and Ministry of Social
Affairs. They are forming a network for referral of any mother
facing a breastfeeding problem.
World Breastfeeding Week Trenton, New Jersey, USA
The IBCLCs at Capital Health System, Diane B. Procaccini, BS,
RN, IBCLC, Jo-Ann Ennis, MSN, IBCLC, Megan Welsh, BSN, IBCLC,
and Julie Blumenfeld, CNM, IBCLC, coordinated a multi-faceted
project for World Breastfeeding Week.
Two weeks before WBW, IBCLC's distributed diaper bags filled
with donated breastfeeding-friendly products to each of
several Children's Futures Centers (see
www.childrensfutures.com). They posted announcements stating
that the diaper bags would be raffled off and that IBCLCs were
coming to give information sessions about breastfeeding. On
the day of the information session, the lactation consultants
brought snacks and handouts in English, Spanish and Polish.
They also brought free samples of breast pads, baby creams,
and such collected over many months. They answered questions,
discussed cultural myths, and explained the importance and
benefits of breastfeeding. They found this community work to
be both rewarding and well received. One of the consultants is
Spanish-speaking and was able to give an entire session to the
Hispanic community!
At the hospital, blank name badge holders were purchased and
the IBCLCs put a breastfeeding slogan sticker on the surface
of each one. Nurses wearing a badge with a formula company
logo could exchange theirs. The badge holders were also given
out in the department of Pediatrics and to the Clinic Nurses.
They also gave the nurses "Milkfuls" candy and samples of soap
with a breastfeeding sticker on it. A nurse demonstrating
exceptional breastfeeding advocacy was given a certificate and
a bag of goodies. Her name was displayed on a large poster in
the cafeteria. All breastfeeding mothers were given small
gifts of baby items with the message "Congratulations and
thanks for Breastfeeding your new baby!" Photographs were
taken and sent to area newspapers and the hospital newsletter.
Diane, Jo-Ann, Megan and Julie found that the project
generated much interest and a new respect for what IBCLCs do
in the hospital and the surrounding community.
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