In This Issue
Breastfeeding Works!
The Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2011
Have you heard about Heather Burgbacher, the Colorado teacher who was fired after requesting lactation accommodations at work? Heather is not alone, as we've heard in other stories like those of Marina Chavez or LaNisa Allen.
Yet positive stories of employers' support for breastfeeding employees abound. One mom told us: "I was supported by my employer to have breaks to pump whenever I needed. I had a private room with an outlet, chair and sink...all I needed to provide my daughter milk when I was at work."
"Is it really that easy," employers ask? YES!
Workplace lactation support is both simple and cost effective; programs can result in a three dollar return on investment for every dollar spent. The insurance company CIGNA found that their program resulted in an annual savings of $240,000 in health care expenses, 62% fewer prescriptions, and $60,000 savings in reduced absenteeism rates.
By reducing employee turnover, time off taken by both moms and dads to care for sick children, and health care and insurance costs, lactation support programs really do pay off. The Business Case for Breastfeeding, published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, offers evidence of the value of supporting breastfeeding employees in the workplace and easy steps for implementation. The National Business Group on Health has also published a related toolkit, issue brief, and tips for employers.
Despite these available resources, research suggests that employment remains a key obstacle for the more than 50% of new mothers who return to the labor force during their child's first year. According to a report published by the Institute for Women's Policy Research (IWPR), "Employed mothers breastfeed at a rate approximately 15 percent below that of nonemployed mothers," demonstrating the significant barrier to breastfeeding success presented by employment. But the landscape of breastfeeding support is changing for the better…
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (also known as Health Care Reform), signed into law on March 23, 2010, requires employers to provide reasonable break time and a private, non-bathroom place for breastfeeding employees to express milk during the work day. Although 24 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia have legislation to support breastfeeding in the workplace, this is the first time the issue has been addressed in national legislation. Although the provision doesn't apply to all employees, advocates have been pleased to see the Department of Labor, President Obama, the Office of Personnel Management encouraging broad interpretations and implementation.
The law covers hourly employees subject to overtime pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act, effectively targeting those who "are most likely to benefit from the provisions," according to the IWPR report. The report estimates that 18.7 million of 35.4 million employed women of childbearing age are covered by the law, and concludes that: "ACA protections for expressing breast milk in the workplace will serve to equalize opportunities for breastfeeding across lines of socioeconomic status. Employment and breastfeeding will be more complementary for those who historically have faced the greatest challenges combining these activities."
The landscape has improved quickly and dramatically, but there is still work to be done, not least to ensure that the law covers situations like Heather's! So we are pleased to report that, during World Breastfeeding Week, Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Representative Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) introduced the Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2011 in both houses of Congress.
The bill includes two provisions to protect and expand the rights of working moms:
- amending civil rights law to protect breastfeeding mothers from being fired or discriminated against in the workplace, and
- extending the existing federal provision to ensure that an additional 13.5 million executive, administrative, and professional employees, including elementary and secondary school teachers, have break time and a private place to pump in the workplace.
On August 3, USBC and the American Dietetic Association co-hosted a Congressional Briefing on the bill, focused on how employers and the economy benefit from lactation support in the workplace. The Breastfeeding Promotion Act offers an opportunity to provide a unified national policy to ensure that all moms are empowered and supported to reach their personal breastfeeding goals.
Now we need your help to take it to the next step: please ask your Representative and Senators to co-sponsor the Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2011!
Chair's Column
Breastfeeding Advocacy - Are You a Zealot?
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"Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world. In fact, it is the only thing that ever has."
~ Margaret Mead
It is no secret that collaboration is the foundation of the United States Breastfeeding Committee (USBC). The USBC leads national efforts to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding using an unprecedented model that connects over 40 professional and educational organizations, advocates, and government with state and local coalitions. When USBC's accomplishments are reviewed, there is no doubt that when a group of passionate, like-minded individuals work together, a new level of success is achieved.
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It is easy to think that an individual's efforts are singularly insignificant and, in fact, many of us use this thought process to justify our lack of personal engagement in a variety of settings—including advocacy for better national breastfeeding policies. We also sometimes assume that our professional efforts to support breastfeeding equate to personal effort. While it is hard to separate our personal from professional lives in many cases, we must never lose sight of the importance of our unique contributions as individuals, and perhaps more importantly, our responsibility as a member of our breastfeeding communities. We must remember to be individuals as well as collaborators. "One person can make a difference and every person should try," was the mantra of President John F. Kennedy.
To give an example of the importance of your voice, take into consideration a recent campaign that asked members of Congress to sign on to a letter of support. Several Congressional offices refused to sign the letter until they heard from a constituent. A single voice in several states led to a member of Congress signing on!
Advocacy is traditionally thought of as the process by which individuals or groups work to influence policy or decisions. While it is often thought of in light of politics or public policy, advocacy crosses into many areas and takes on multiple forms. On the other hand, lobbying (to some, as dreadful a word to type in a breastfeeding column as "formula"), involves direct communication with legislators on key issues. We can all be advocates for breastfeeding and most of us can lobby as individuals. The USBC and partner organizations have the opportunity to advocate through grassroots efforts to change the landscape of breastfeeding in the United States.
In the early days, many of us were called "zealots" or other names too politically incorrect or crass to mention today. It was the important advocacy and groundwork of our breastfeeding mentors and mothers who have paved the way for us to band together and advocate today. Breastfeeding is now recognized as an important public health strategy to improve the health of the nation's mothers, infants, and children.
The USBC is fortunate to have important relationships with members of Congress including Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Representative Carolyn Maloney (D-NY). In this issue, you will also read about the Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2011 and the recent Congressional briefing hosted by USBC and the American Dietetic Association.
The USBC also continues to submit important comments and testimony to the various government agencies as part of the rule-making process. At this month's USBC meeting, Linda Smith commented on the many remarkable opportunities afforded through The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding and the sweeping momentum it has created. She summed it up by saying "I never thought I would see these opportunities in my lifetime."
Take the opportunity to respond to the call to action like Ryan Comfort, who brought the breastfeeding community together with Milk for Thought's cross-country "pink bus" tour.
Answer today's call to take action. Question the way policy is administered and propose solutions to the decision makers. Have conversations about breastfeeding with employers. Be an advocate—even if you are not a zealot.
USBC Updates
USBC's bi-annual membership meeting was held in the Washington, DC area on August 5-6. The program included a presentation by guest speaker Ryan Comfort of Milk for Thought, as well as an interactive session for member representatives, "Collaboration for Collective Impact."
Prior to each membership meeting, USBC member organizations are asked to report on their activities related to breastfeeding. For the first time, the most recent reports were aligned with the 20 Actions of the Surgeon General's Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding. Download the member reports here, or view the USBC Annual Report to the Membership.
Finally, we are pleased to welcome two new member organizations: MomsRising, and the Breastfeeding Center of Pittsburgh. Please also join me in welcoming the newest members of the USBC Board of Directors: Cathy Carothers will serve as Chair Elect, and Beverly Curtis will serve as an Elected Director and Membership Committee Chair. Allison Walsh will continue in a second term as Treasurer, and Melissa Bartick will continue as an Elected Director and Finance Committee Chair. A special thanks goes to our outgoing Board members, Joan Meek and Julie Wood, for their dedicated service to USBC.
Sincerely,
Jeanne Blankenship, MS, RD
Chair, United States Breastfeeding Committee
Member Spotlight: La Leche League International
By Brenda Bandy, IBCLC
The mission of La Leche League is to help mothers to breastfeed through mother-to-mother support, encouragement, information, and education, and to promote a better understanding of breastfeeding as an important element in the healthy development of the baby and mother. We bridge the gaps between the medical community and the mothers who choose to initiate breastfeeding. Every day our accredited volunteers, La Leche League Leaders, make a difference through support group meetings and by helping one mother and one baby at a time, at no cost. Leaders patiently offer words of support, information, and smiles of encouragement—exactly what mothers, babies, and families need to breastfeed successfully.
La Leche League International has been a part of USBC from the beginning. Over the years, Carol Kolar and Betty Crase brought the expertise of LLLI in mother-to-mother support to the USBC table. Carol served on the USBC Board of Directors for five years and lent her meeting planning skills to three USBC conferences for the State/Territory/Tribal Breastfeeding Coalitions. Betty contributed her research and committee skills. We deeply appreciate the crucial roles Carol and Betty filled as the LLLI representatives to USBC.
Three years ago, the LLLI Board of Directors adopted policies which led to the guidelines for the formation of LLL USA, a national entity connected to LLLI in the same manner as other national entities such as LLL of Great Britain and LLL of Canada. Many Leaders in the United States had long called for the formation of LLL USA. The Board of Directors of LLLI is keenly aware of this desire and supports management in facilitating this transition. LLLI is no longer synonymous with LLL USA. LLLI focuses on global breastfeeding issues. LLL USA, led by a council of LLL Leader volunteers, addresses the needs of breastfeeding mothers in the U.S. and U.S. national breastfeeding issues. Both organizations are fiscally sound and prepared to meet the needs of breastfeeding families for years to come.
Some of the specific purposes of LLL USA include:
- Publishing New Beginnings, an e-magazine for breastfeeding families
- Providing internal/external public relations
- Coordinating use of the LLL brand and connection to LLLI
- Exploring USA-specific funding opportunities
- Networking and partnering with other breastfeeding advocacy organizations in the U.S.
- Managing the LLLUSA.org website
In 2010, LLL USA took over the function of representing LLLI to USBC and selected a new representative to bring its perspective to USBC. The primary representative is Brenda Bandy, a LLL Leader of twelve years and experienced breastfeeding advocate on the state level. She hopes to lend her passion and knowledge of mother-to-mother support, breastfeeding advocacy, and fundraising to her role at USBC. Contact Brenda by e-mail.
Please visit LLLI or LLL USA online for general information. For specific questions about LLL USA, please contact us.
In each issue we'll highlight a different state, territory, or tribal breastfeeding coalition (in even months) or national USBC member organization (in odd months).
The Inside Scoop
Click to learn more about these recent "happenings"…
On Saturday, August 6, USBC officially declared that August is National Breastfeeding Month, at a Community Baby Shower event hosted by Howard University Hospital and the DC Breastfeeding Coalition. In addition to the USBC proclamation, the day's events included participation in the "Big Latch On" and a visit from the Latch On America cross-country bus tour.
USBC published a new Statement on Infant/Young Child Feeding in Emergencies.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released this month's issue of Vital Signs: "Hospital Support for Breastfeeding." Vital Signs offers recent data and calls to action for important public health issues.
On August 1, The Joint Commission launched a Speak Up™ educational campaign, "What You Need to Know About Breastfeeding," to help support and prepare mothers to successfully breastfeed. The award-winning Speak Up program urges people to take an active role in their own health care; materials are distributed through accredited hospitals and on YouTube and other websites.
The First Lady announced Let's Move! Child Care, a new initiative that will support child care providers in their efforts to help children develop healthy habits early in life. The program's fifth goal includes breastfeeding support! Child care providers can access free online tools and resources pertaining to nutrition, physical activity and screen time.
A recent report from the Institute of Medicine, Early Childhood Obesity Prevention Policies, summarizes the best available evidence about key strategies for preventing obesity among children under age 5. The recommendations include an emphatic endorsement of breastfeeding, as noted in The Wall Street Journal health blog.
The 2011 Breastfeeding Report Card is now available, depicting state and national trends in breastfeeding data.
Detailed state reports on CDC's 2009 Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care (mPINC) survey has been released to facilitate work with hospitals and birth centers in improving breastfeeding care.
Also on August 1, the Department of Health and Human Services issued historic guidelines that will ensure women receive preventive health services at no additional cost, including breastfeeding support, supplies, and counseling. Be sure to read HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius's blog, "Prevention at the Heart of Keeping Women Healthy."
In honor of World Breastfeeding Week, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality released a podcast as part of its Healthcare 411 series highlighting Surgeon General Regina Benjamin and the Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding. Listen or view a transcript of the 60 second audio program.
Quick Health Data Online, brought to you by the Office on Women's Health, provides state and county level breastfeeding and health data.
The U.S. Lactation Consultant Association has several upcoming webinars:
- 9/16 - "Breastfeeding in Combat Boots"
- 9/26 - "Lactation Education for the Out Patient Lactation Professional"
- 10/12 - "Jaundice in the Breastfeed Infant"
Learn more and register.
Healthy Children's 16th Annual National Conference will be held in Orlando, FL on January 9-13, 2012.
Check out photos from the USBC meeting and National Breastfeeding Month proclamation event on the USBC Facebook Page.
Action Alerts
On August 1, 2011, Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Representative Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) introduced the Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2011 (BPA) in both houses of Congress. Ask your Representative and Senators to co-sponsor the bill today and help garner critical support to ensure that all moms are supported to breastfeed.
Milk for Thought has been busy interviewing families and breastfeeding experts for their Interactive Breastfeeding Documentary. Pre-order TWO DVDs with a $35 donation today!
The Vital Signs Fact Sheet recommends several actions that are needed to help hospitals support mothers to breastfeed. Social media tools, podcasts, and other resources are available.
Wear your support for breastfeeding this summer: place an order from the USBC t-shirt shop. The shop features men's and women's shirts, baby onesies, and other fun USBC products. A portion of each purchase goes to support our advocacy efforts to ensure that every mom is empowered and supported to reach her personal breastfeeding goals.
Get free pregnancy and new baby tips sent right to your phone with text4baby. Text BABY to 511411 to sign up today.
USBC is looking for a fall/winter intern!
Food for Thought!
We hope you enjoy these tidbits!
Breastfeeding: Join the Boob-olution! A fabulous PSA video packed with celebs
The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action organized a music track and choreography for a global breastfeeding flash mob for World Breastfeeding Week 2011. Many local groups participated by performing flash mobs in public places, here are just a few:
Do you have a great WBW flash mob video? Post it on the USBC Facebook Page.
Check out these other great World Breastfeeding Week videos: