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 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

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)

Breastfeeding in the New River Valley 54.2% of respondents in Perinatal Region 1

initiated breastfeeding – lowest in VA (PRAMS 2007-2009)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lactation Rooms

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

Breastfeeding Welcome Here

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

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

Thank you!Contact Us:Laura Alexander, MPH, Health Educator Senior – laura.alexander@vdh.virginia.gov; 540-381-7100 ext 153Katie 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