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A Breastfeeding & Lactation Accommodation policy in a small-town faith community
Breastfeeding is more than a lifestyle choice, it is a public health issue. Many studies establish that breastfeeding is beneficial to infant and childhood growth and development. The California Lactation Accommodation Law requires employers to provide time and safe spaces for their employees who are breastfeeding. However, this state law is often under-implemented, especially in public areas beyond the workspace for breastfeeding mothers.
methods
A county-wide organization that serves to reduce and prevent childhood obesity guided the preliminary stages of policy adoption. This project utilized the spectrum of prevention as framework for policy development and execution; specifically at the organizational, community, and individual levels. We received buy-in and adoption of this policy from a faith community's parish council via email, phone calls, and attendance of parish council meetings.
results
After room placement and ethical debate, the parish council approved and adopted the Breastfeeding & Lactation Accommodation policy. They have allocated a nursing room within the church to accommodate breastfeeding mothers during service hours, work, and other church-related events.
next steps
The Breastfeeding & Lactation Accommodation policy is currently transitioning into the next phases of implementation, evaluation, and conclusion. Within the next few months, we will collect data via surveys and focus group meetings. This data should reveal the impact of this policy on employees, congregants, and volunteers within the church community. In addition, we will observe how the presence of a nursing room within the church has affected the community’s perception of breastfeeding in public.
Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health educationDiversity and culture
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Public health or related laws, regulations, standards, or guidelines
Public health or related organizational policy, standards, or other guidelines
Public health or related public policy
Learning Objectives:
Describe at least 1 challenge breastfeeding mothers and their children face in faith environments.
Keyword(s): Maternal and Child Health, Breastfeeding
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a graduate intern working within a collaborative that aims to lower and prevent county-wide childhood obesity. This project has encouraged one-on-one exposure to the logistics of policymaking at the organizational level, and the health impact it disseminates within a faith community.
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.