Strategies for Partnership Development between Local Health Departments and Community Hospitals to Increase Breastfeeding Duration and Exclusivity Rates in Medicaid-Eligible Mothers

One significant determinant of breastfeeding success is the support a mother receives prenatally and in the weeks immediately following delivery.  In populations of low socioeconomic status, we have identified a gap in availability of breastfeeding support and consistency of breastfeeding messages between hospitals and the community, as well as a lack of resources available to meet the needs of low income mothers upon hospital discharge.  Thus, the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center (LCHD/CHC) has developed partnerships with hospitals delivering the largest populations of Medicaid infants in the county to provide a system of breastfeeding support from hospital to home, as well as assist these hospitals in obtaining Baby-Friendly designation.  Hospital staff provides contact information to LCHD/CHC when a Medicaid-eligible mother delivers, and in turn, the WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor and Public Health Nurse provide timely follow up and breastfeeding support to the mother.  This process has enhanced cooperative working relationships between hospitals and our local health department to better meet the needs of patients in the critical early postpartum period. Data obtained shows improvement in breastfeeding duration and exclusivity rates for women delivering at these partner hospitals.  The impact of this collaboration is increased communication between hospitals and the health department, improved outcomes in breastfeeding duration and exclusivity among low-income mothers and infants, and achievement of the 10^th step of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, “Foster the establishment of breastfeeding support groups and refer mothers to them on discharge from the hospital or birth center.”