Physician Lactation Education Collaborative: Making Training Tools Available to Support Breastfeeding-Friendly Health Care Practices and Policies

The Physician Lactation Education Collaborative developed ten evidence-based lactation education modules on topics such as breast pain, latch, multicultural aspects of breastfeeding, immunology, and lactation policy development. Eight modules have been piloted with nearly 250 health care providers in King County and Spokane County. The Collaborative is releasing four of the modules on compact disk in October 2007 and will make the disks available to Washington state residents at no charge. Each module includes a guide for presenters, a PowerPoint presentation, culturally-appropriate photographs and a bibliography from peer reviewed publications. Suggestions for organizing trainings using the modules will also be included with the disk.

Evaluation: Training participants and presenters provided feedback to inform the revision of the modules. Approximately 42% of the training participants were physicians or residents. Other health care providers included medical students, midwives, nurse practitioners, nurses, lactation consultants and dietitians.

Partners: WithinReach, the Breastfeeding Coalition of Washington (BCW) and Public Health-Seattle & King County’s WIC Program established the Physician Lactation Education Collaborative to provide evidence-based research, education and support to health care providers. The Collaborative is made up of more than 20 members including physicians representing eight hospitals and representatives from county public health agencies, the Washington Department of Health, and nonprofit organizations.

For More Information:

• Kimberly Radtke, Breastfeeding Coalition of Washington
• WithinReach – Physician Lactation Education Collaborative

Blue Bird, Inc., Receives the Breastfeeding Coalition of Washington's Outstanding Employer Award for 2007

The Breastfeeding Coalition of Washington established the Outstanding Employer Award in 1999 to acknowledge Washington companies that show leadership in developing workplace policies that support breastfeeding and significantly contribute to promoting and supporting breastfeeding as a vital part of the health and development of children and their families.

The 2007 recipient, Blue Bird, Inc., is the oldest cooperative fruit packing company in Central Washington and employs approximately 1,600 seasonal employees in its packing houses, orchards and offices. Since 2005, the company has provided two rooms in its Peshastin headquarters and Wenatchee plant to provide a private space for breastfeeding employees to pump during the workday. Through a partnership with the Columbia Valley Community Health (CVCH) WIC program and the Breastfeeding Coalition of Wenatchee, the rooms are equipped with electric breast pumps, refrigerators, cabinets with pump supplies and educational materials. The rooms are promoted through word of mouth and large signs in the break rooms.

Blue Bird also provides all employees, including upper management, with information and training about working and breastfeeding. Employees can flex their hours to ensure adequate pumping time and have access to resources for breastfeeding support.

For More Information:

• Kimberly Radtke, Breastfeeding Coalition of Washington
• Breastfeeding Coalition of Washington Employer Awards
  
  

Featured Resource: Does Breastfeeding Reduce the Risk of Pediatric Overweight?

The CDC's Weight Management Research to Practice Series is a designed to summarize the science on a weight management topic for health professionals and the lay audience. This Research to Practice brief explores the relationship between breastfeeding and pediatric overweight and provides an overview of six evidence-based interventions including maternity care practices and support for breastfeeding in the workplace. Crib cards are also available for use by hospitals to highlight the positive health impacts associated with breastfeeding and to offer strategies for successful breastfeeding to new parents.

For More Information:

• Research to Practice Brief: Does Breastfeeding Reduce the Risk of Pediatric Overweight? (PDF)
• Crib Cards (PDF): Boys | Girls