In 2018, the Center for Health Equity along with the NYC Commission on Human Rights and the NYC Small Business Services created a new Breastfeeding Toolkit for Business Owners. The toolkit gives small businesses the opportunity to create comfortable and welcoming spaces for breastfeeding. To learn more,
.
USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has launched a new breastfeeding campaign called, “WIC Breastfeeding Support – Learn Together. Grow Together.” The new campaign was created to help encourage WIC moms to breastfeed their babies and to provide them with the support needed to succeed.
Pregnancy and post-pregnancy come with a lot of questions and worry. In visiting the website, new mothers and expectant mothers will find information on many of their questions – with topics ranging from the benefits of breastfeeding, breastfeeding supplies, baby hunger cues, to delivery room 101, various feeding holds, and even information on the phases of breast milk.
WIC local agencies will also find materials to share with participants; such as posters, educational materials and videos. Resources tailored to dads, grandparents and to the support network of infant caregivers are also available.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found increased breastfeeding duration reduces the incidence of diabetes. This 30-year study found a 25% to 47% reduction of the incidence of diabetes in women who breastfed. With several studies through the years looking at the effect lactation has on diabetes this study looked at pre-pregnancy biochemical measures, clinical and demographic risk factors, lifestyle behaviors, weight gain and gestational diabetes risk, which previous studies have not. Simply stated, the longer a woman breastfeeds the more protection is offered to her against diabetes.
It is important for physicians to be aware of all WIC offers and now obstetricians can learn more about WIC by viewing information from ACOG’s website. Click here to view their page:
If you were not able to attend NWA’s 2018 Nutrition Education & Breastfeeding Promotion Conference held in New Orleans, videos recordings are now available to all NWA members online. To access them, go to
https://www.nwica.org/ log into your account, click on
My Account next to your name on the upper left corner of the site, and on your dashboard, click on
Go To the Online Community button on the far-right side. A new window will pop up. Click on
Resource Center on the vertical menu on the left side of the window. Find the folder “
2018 Nutrition Breastfeeding Conference Sessions” within the Resource Center which will bring you to the links to all the sessions.
Breastfeeding Programs and Policies, Breastfeeding Uptake, and Maternal Health Outcomes in Developed Countries(
Systematic Review, released on July 18, 2018)
The objective of this review was “to summarize the effectiveness of community, workplace, and health care system–based programs and policies aimed at supporting and promoting breastfeeding, and to determine the association between breastfeeding and maternal health”.
One of the key messages was: “For women enrolled in the WIC Program, peer-support interventions offered by WIC agencies may improve rates of breastfeeding initiation and duration.
New Jersey Supports Breastfeeding with Workplace Lactation LawThe Affordable Care Act requires employers to provide reasonable break time as well as a clean place for an employee to express breast milk for her nursing child for one year. New Jersey joined 27 other states, including New York, who have additional laws to protect breastfeeding mothers in the workplace. Governor Christie signed legislation amending laws to prohibit employers from firing or discriminating against workers who may need time to express milk during the work day. The employer must provide reasonable break time and a suitable private place to express milk.
For information about the Federal workplace law:
http://www.usbreastfeeding.org/workplace-lawFor information about the NYS law:
https://www.labor.ny.gov/workerprotection/laborstandards/nursing-mothers.shtmView the NYS Making it Work tool kit:
http://www.breastfeedingpartners.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=164&Itemid=411
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Adds Information About WIC To Their Website
An infographic from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) that highlights the benefits of breastfeeding can be found here:
https://www.acog.org/-/media/Departments/Toolkits-for-Health-Care-Providers/images/BreastfeedingBenefits.ashx
World Breastfeeding Week 2018
Black Breastfeeding Week
For several years, the month of August has been dedicated to highlighting awareness of breastfeeding challenges and benefits throughout the first week; featured as “National Breastfeeding Week”. This event is dedicated to the celebration and promotion of breastfeeding. The last week of August has been dedicated to promoting awareness of solutions to minimize the challenges and barriers faced within the black community through “Black Breastfeeding Week”.
Breastfeeding on the Subway in New York City
The Breastfeeding Subway Caravan is an annual event, sponsored by the New York City Breastfeeding Leadership Council, held to support and promote a woman’s right to breastfeed in public. Below are some highlights from this year’s event.
Attendees met on the steps of City Hall for a kick off the event featuring various speakers and elected officials from city, state, and federal levels. One such attendee was Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams who accepted an award for being a “Breastfeeding Champion” in his community and spoke on the importance of breastfeeding and a woman’s right to breastfeed. After the kickoff attendees took the A Train to Restoration Plaza in Bedford Stuyvesant, nursing their babies and chanting positive breastfeeding messages along the way. At Restoration Plaza a breastfeeding fair was held sponsored by the Brooklyn Alliance for Breastfeeding Empowerment (BABE). The fair featured food, live entertainment, informational handouts, and giveaways of items to promote literacy and good health. One NYS WIC local agency in attendance, Bedford Stuyvesant Family Health Center, was featured by News 12 Brooklyn. Interviews with Breastfeeding Coordinator Celia Deane Joe and other participants can be seen here.
Breastfeeding Awareness Month
The following photographs were taken by Tina Boyadjieva a New York City-based photographer who traveled to traveled to 18 different countries photographing mothers from all around the world.
The Journal of Breastfeeding Medicine published a study in January 2017, titled; “Breastfeeding and Complementary Feeding Patterns Among Women Enrolled in WIC: WIC Infant and Toddler Feeding Practices Study-2.”, “Feeding My Baby”.This large study conducted over a period of 5 years, across states nationwide looked at infant and toddler feeding practices during late pregnancy and early infancy used by parents and nutrition outcomes of children enrolled in WIC and the effect WIC has on these practices.
The study looked at:
• Attitudes toward breastfeeding
• Infant feeding perceptions of WIC services
• Where participants go for feeding advice
• Knowledge of WIC benefits and food packages
The study showed negative views of breastfeeding have decreased from 1995 to 2013 with 80% of WIC mothers believing breastfed babies are heathier offering them protection from disease and creating a strong bond with baby. From 1995 to 2013 negative views about breastfeeding has decreased.
The good news is, breastfeeding rates have more than doubled since earlier studies.
Main findings:
• The percentage of WIC infants who are exclusively breastfed without supplementation is very small
• Maternal race and ethnicity, immigrant status and maternal education are associated with the choice of feeding methods
• In addition to formula supplementation, substantial breastfed infants also receive some supplemental foods during the first few months
• Half of breastfeeding mothers supplement about the time their infant is 2 months old
• Mothers who have breastfeeding problems are 70% more likely to supplement
• Perceived benefits of breastfeeding are associated with lower likelihood of supplementation
• Knowledge of the WIC breastfeeding food package is associated with lower supplementation
• Half of WIC mothers who initiative breastfeeding wean their infant by 57 days of age
• Early initiation of cow’s milk or other milk appears to be less of a problem for WIC mothers
• 70% of mothers did not reach their breastfeeding goal
To view the reports:
• WIC IFPS- 1 Infant Feeding Practices Study, 1997 -
https://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/wic-infant-feeding-practices-study• WIC ITFPS-2 Infant Report: Intention to Breastfeed, 2015 -
https://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/special-supplemental-nutrition-program-women-infants-and-children-wic-infant-and-toddler-feeding• WIC ITFPS-2 Infant Report: Infant Year Report, 2017 -
https://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/wic-infant-and-toddler-feeding-practices-study-2-infant-year-report
Supplementary Feedings in the Healthy Term Breastfed Neonate, Revised 2017
Breastfeeding reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)We know breastfeeding decreases the risk of SIDS by 50 % or more. A study published in Science Daily, October 30, 2017, looked at breastfeeding duration and exclusively demonstrates breastfeeding for just 2 months cuts the risk in half and the longer baby is breastfed the greater the protection. The important finding in this study where they looked at several studies, mothers do not have to breastfeed exclusively, as previously thought. This is good news for mothers who chose to both breast and formula feed or are unable to exclusively breastfeed. You may wonder how breastfeeding influences SIDS, it is thought that breastfeeding offers protection against illness, has a calming effect on baby and the mother and helps baby organize their sleep/wake cycle.
To view the study:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/10/171030123401.htm
Northeast Region Loving Support Awards
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has developed an internal Northeast Regional Office (NERO) Newsletter, 'At The Table'. This newsletter showcases the wonderful work that USDA's nutrition assistance programs are doing in our region, and the strong community partnerships that they have established.
We are delighted to announce that this year’s USDA Loving Support Awardees from the Northeast region are featured in the newsletter. The newsletter includes great pictures of our USDA representatives personally awarding our local agencies with their awards! The Northeast Region, comprised of 7 states, awarded 12 WIC local agencies in the NERO region with Loving Support Awards. New York local agencies received 8 of the 12 awards. They are as follows:
- Whitney Young Health Center
- Opportunities for Otsego, Inc.
- Clinton County Health Department
- Bedford Stuyvesant Family Health Center
- St. Barnabas Health System
- Urban Health Plan
- Catholic Charities of Buffalo
- The Stony Brook WIC Program
New Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) released
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have released a new Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) entitled, "Trends in Breastfeeding Among Infants Enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children — New York, 2002–2015." To assess breastfeeding trends among New York State WIC infants, indicators for measuring breastfeeding practices reported by the New York State WIC Pediatric Nutrition Surveillance System (PedNSS) during 2002–2015 were examined. Despite improvements in breastfeeding initiation, increasing the duration of breastfeeding and of exclusive breastfeeding among infants enrolled in the New York State WIC program remains challenging. Identifying targeted strategies to support continued and exclusive breastfeeding should remain priorities for the New York State WIC program.
A Community Partnership to Support Breastfeeding Mothers of Late Preterm Infants
Late preterm infants are those born between 34 and 36 weeks’ gestation. These babies present challenges to mothers who want to exclusively breastfeed. These infants often adapt well to life outside the womb and may have difficulties with suck, have more sleepiness, low breast milk intake putting them at risk for readmission to the hospital for jaundice, weight loss or slow weight gain. In a recent article "A Community Partnership to Support Breastfeeding Mothers of Late Preterm Infants", published in Nursing for Women’s Health, August/September 2017 the article shows the importance of support for the late pre-term mother.
A partnership was formed between WIC and the hospital to ensure seamless continuity of care for mothers faced with unique challenges.
A tertiary hospital in the Mountain West region of the U.S. and a WIC peer counselor program formed a partnership to improve breastfeeding outcomes for the late preterm infant. The peer counselors received training to understand the challenges mothers faced and were encouraged to listen, encourage the mother and refer situations that were outside their scope of practice. The hospital NICU RN, Lactation Consultant would notify the WIC peer counselor and the PC would meet the mother in the hospital. This project was expanded beyond the NICU to the hospital mother/baby unit where all WIC mother/baby dyads were connected with a PC.
To review the entire article, visit: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2017.05.364
In a recent Webinar Dr. Marianne Neifert discussed how to support the mother of the late preterm infant: Preemie Series: “Just a Few Weeks Early, Breastfeeding Management for the Late Preterm Infant”. The archieved webinar can be viewed here.
Understanding Health Care Reform & BreastfeedingWondering how health care reform might impact breastfeeding promotion? The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee recently published a summary of the breastfeeding provisions in the Affordable Care Act. They also summarized potential impacts to breastfeeding from the proposed American Health Care Act. Read their analysis
here.
Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine Releases Revised Supplementary Feedings ProtocolThe Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM) recently updated their protocol for supplementary feedings of breastfed newborns. The revised protocol highlights ways to reduce the need for supplementary feedings, and clarifies how providers can determine whether supplementation is truly required. The revised protocol can be found
here.
New York State Family LeaveIn 2016, Governor Cuomo signed into law the nation’s strongest and most comprehensive Paid Family Leave policy. Starting January 1, 2018, New York will have the strongest paid family leave plan in the nation to ensure that no one will have to choose between losing a job and missing the birth of a child or being able to spend time with a loved one in their final days.
The Family Leave Program will provide New Yorkers job-protected, paid leave to bond with a new child, care for a loved one with a serious health condition or to help relieve family pressures when someone is called to active military service.
Read more.
Dr. Howard Zucker’s Breastfeeding Call to ActionThe 2016 Breastfeeding Grand Rounds featured a video roll-in of New York State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Howard A. Zucker, MD, JD, who spoke on the importance of exclusive breastfeeding as a public health priority. Dr. Zucker acknowledged the progress made in NYS to strengthen breastfeeding practices, and highlighted the revised Perinatal Regulations and the new Paid Family Leave Act.
Dr. Zucker’s important message has been adapted into a
Dear Colleague letter that has been sent to over 78,000 email addresses of physicians and hospital leaders across the state. This letter builds upon his Call to Action and encourages the development of supportive, enabling environments across the continuum for all women who want to breastfeed, including the importance of working with moms prenatally and early postpartum, and referral to WIC for breastfeeding education and support. The release of this letter provides an excellent opportunity to strengthen collaborations with community providers and to promote WIC as the breastfeeding experts in the community.
Use it as a conversation starter to begin a discussion with providers and community partners on how to establish breastfeeding as a social norm. We all share a responsibility in improving support for women and their families, and invite you to be an agent for change.
UN Supports and Promotes BreastfeedingA joint statement was issued by United Nation experts telling countries they need to do more to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding as a human right, including ending the inappropriate marketing of breast-milk substitutes and other foods intended for infants and young children.
UN experts emphasized the importance and many benefits of breastfeeding for both the mother and child. Concern was expressed about the lack of progress made in improving breastfeeding rates globally and in providing women and their children with the support and protection they are entitled to.
The experts voiced particular concern about the continued misleading marketing of breast milk substitutes and other foods intended for infants and young children. They pointed out that there is little corporate accountability for the adverse consequences of such marketing practices which, the experts said, continue to undermine efforts to improve early and exclusive breastfeeding rates.
The experts called upon governments to take all necessary measures to promote and protect breastfeeding and welcomed renewed global efforts to reduce the inappropriate marketing of commercially prepared foods for infants and young children.
National WIC Association Statement on Infant Formula ManufacturersThe National WIC Association (NWA) announced during the NWA’s 2016 Nutrition and Education Conference they are ending their relationship with infant formula manufacturers. Effective immediately NWA will no longer invite infant formula companies to be members, exhibitors at conferences, advertisers or sponsors of events and activities. This move furthers NWAs goal of supporting WIC as the nation’s Go-to Breastfeeding Program. For more information, please
click here.
It is important for physicians to be aware of all WIC offers and now obstetricians can learn more about WIC by viewing information from ACOG’s website. Click here to view their page: