299481
Breastfeeding Friendly Health Departments: Ten Steps to Success
Breastfeeding is one of the most effective measures a mother can take to protect the health of her infant and herself. Despite recognition of the health and economic benefits of breastfeeding, national and state breastfeeding rates are suboptimal. The Breastfeeding-Friendly Health Departments (BFHD) Project was designed to increase the capacity of health departments to promote breastfeeding in the community and to pilot the process of the Ten Steps for BFHDs.
Methods
Ten local public health departments in urban, suburban and rural counties in Minnesota were recruited to participate in the six month BFHD pilot. Each site identified a “BFHD champion” who received training and resources. Project evaluation was based on pre- and post-program self-appraisal.
Results
All BFHD pilot sites reported progress in building capacity to support breastfeeding within their agency and the community. The mean scores increased on all ten steps, with seven showing a statistically significant improvement. Identifying a BFHD champion and training and resource materials were considered the most helpful components. Participating sites reported that the project complemented efforts to support breastfeeding, including WIC and collaborative efforts with health care organizations.
Conclusions
The BFHD project increased the capacity of agencies to support and promote breastfeeding. The Minnesota Department of Health has adopted the Ten Steps for BFHD and is establishing a process to designate local health departments as breastfeeding-friendly. The BFHD process can help achieve the Surgeon General’s Call to Action and provide the momentum needed to increase breastfeeding promotion and support.
Learning Areas:
Chronic disease management and preventionImplementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Program planning
Public health or related nursing
Public health or related organizational policy, standards, or other guidelines
Learning Objectives:
Discuss why it is important that health departments take steps to be breastfeeding-friendly.
Identify the ten steps for breastfeeding-friendly health departments.
List available resources to assist health departments in becoming breastfeeding-friendly.
Keyword(s): Breastfeeding, Community-Based Partnership & Collaboration
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been working in public health for 26 years and have extensive experience in the area of maternal and child health with an interest in promoting and supporting breastfeeding. This presentation encompasses the work I completed in 2013 for my doctorate in nursing scholarly project. I have reviewed research and literature related to local health departments role and work in breastfeeding and strategies needed to be breastfeeding friendly.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.