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Breastfeeding in Businesses: New River Health District

Breastfeeding in Businesses: New River Health District. Laura Alexander, Health Educator Senior, New River Health District Katie Van Horn, NRVCS Prevention Specialist and Floyd’s Healthy Communities Action Team Facilitator. Learning Objectives.

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Breastfeeding in Businesses: New River Health District

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  1. Breastfeeding in Businesses:New River Health District Laura Alexander, Health Educator Senior, New River Health District Katie Van Horn, NRVCS Prevention Specialist and Floyd’s Healthy Communities Action Team Facilitator

  2. Learning Objectives • Describe lessons learned from a community breastfeeding intervention • Identify strategies for establishing lactation rooms in community businesses • Identify resources available for a community breastfeeding intervention

  3. Breastfeeding and Obesity • Optimal breastfeeding reduces a child’s risk of: • Obesity • Type 1 diabetes • Type 2 diabetes • Optimal breastfeeding reduces a mother’s risk of: • Diabetes • Hypertension • Postpartum weight retention (CAROLINA GLOBAL BREASTFEEDING INSTITUTE)

  4. Breastfeeding in the New River Valley • 54.2% of respondents in Perinatal Region 1 initiated breastfeeding – lowest in VA (PRAMS2007-2009) • 45.8% NEVER initiated breastfeeding – highest in VA (PRAMS 2007-2009) • 33% of WIC participants in New River were breastfeeding (WIC 2011) Perinatal Region 1 consists of the following health districts: Lenowisco, Cumberland Plateau, Mount Rogers, New River, Roanoke Alleghany, and West Piedmont

  5. Business Support/Education Project • Funding from VDH to: • Educate businesses about pro-breastfeeding policies • Help businesses adopt pro-breastfeeding policies • Establish five lactation rooms in businesses (provided pumps, refrigerators, and chairs if necessary) HRSA Business Case for Breastfeeding Kit Medela Symphony Hospital-Grade Multi-User Breast pump

  6. Process • Identified businesses with sufficient female workforce OR female visitors in Floyd County (n=10) • Mailed letters, followed up with phone calls • Utilized personal connections to community members, business owners • ZERO traditional businesses expressed willingness to set up lactation rooms or adopt supportive policies • Space constraints • Perceived lack of need • Lack of interest by business owners

  7. Interested Organizations • Floyd County Department of Social Services • Floyd County Public Schools • Blue Mountain School

  8. Department of Social Services • Policy for Supporting Breastfeeding Employees • Milk expression breaks • Staff support for breastfeeding • Communication between staff/supervisors • Policy language, structure from Business Case for Breastfeeding Kit

  9. Schools • Floyd County Schools: • Superintendent officially supported program; left final decisions up to principals • 4/5 principals agreed to set up lactation rooms • Adopted policies supporting breastfeeding • Blue Mountain School: • Established lactation room • Strengthened relationship between school/health department

  10. Lactation Rooms

  11. Community Business Support • Restaurants • Clothing stores • Beauty shop • Insurance • Real estate • Financial management • Art gallery • Print shop • Telecommunications company • Farmer supply • Dental practices • Wellness center • Salon • Antique store • Gift shop • Distributed “Breastfeeding Welcome Here” decals to 30 businesses in Floyd

  12. Breastfeeding Welcome Here

  13. Lessons Learned – Macro level • Be flexible! Don’t be afraid to change the plan if it doesn’t work exactly they way you hoped • Utilize pre-existing relationships, community work, support, momentum, whatever you can! • Utilize whatever champions you have – superintendent was vital to the success of this project • Understand and respect the community norms, values, and history

  14. Lessons Learned – Micro level • Providing a multi-user pump is great – also consider providing attachment kits (tubing, shields, etc.) • Other amenities that can make a lactation room even more useful include a way to play music and a clock • Women may not feel comfortable publically advertising pumping – they may prefer to not have a sign on the door

  15. Thank you! Contact Us: Laura Alexander, MPH, Health Educator Senior – laura.alexander@vdh.virginia.gov; 540-381-7100 ext 153 Katie Van Horn, NRVCS Prevention Specialist– KVanHorn@nrvcs.org; 540-312-5311 Special Thanks to David Moore and Deanna Swortzel Project Funded by the Virginia Department of Health

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