Texas Breastfeeding Initiative

Links to non-Federal organizations are provided solely as a service to our users. This link does not constitute an endorsement of this organization by USBC or the Federal Government, and none should be inferred. The USBC is not responsible for the content of the individual organization Web pages found at this link.

The Texas Department of Health, Bureau of Nutrition Services is home to one of the nation's most comprehensive state health department breastfeeding promotion and support programs. The purpose of the program is to improve the health of Texas mothers and infants by promoting breastfeeding and creating an environment in Texas that significantly supports breastfeeding mothers.

Their program goal is to increase breastfeeding rates by the year 2004 to 75% at hospital discharge and 50% at 6 months postpartum by increasing current state rates 5% each year. As of 1999, Texas breastfeeding rates at hospital discharge were approximately 66.5% and at 6 months postpartum are 29.2%.

Objectives: 

1) All programs in the Texas Department of Health will fully promote and support breastfeeding within the context of their programs.

2) The medical community will implement policies and procedures to insure that they are "breastfeeding friendly."

3) Hospitals providing maternity services will become "baby friendly" and follow the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding.

4) The business community will implement policies and procedures to insure that they are "mother friendly" and provide a supportive environment for the breastfeeding mother who chooses to return to work. 

5) Professional schools will include breastfeeding management in the curricula for doctors, nurses, dietitians, social workers, and other allied health professionals.

6) Insurance companies, HMOs, and Medicaid will reimburse for lactation support services.

7) Public and private schools will teach that breastfeeding is the best way to feed an infant in health and parenting classes.

8) Societal and cultural attitudes will change to be supportive of the breastfeeding family.

9) Churches and other groups will encourage and support breastfeeding families.

10) Barriers will be removed giving women full access to breastfeeding support.

Texas Mother-Friendly Work site Program

Texas law assigned the Texas Department of Health the responsibility for designating Texas businesses as "Mother-Friendly" if businesses apply for the designation and voluntarily create policies to support employed mothers. To be approved by the health department, businesses must show evidence of having

• flexible work schedules to provide time for expression of milk,
• an accessible and private location for pumping,
• access to a nearby clean and safe water source and a sink for washing hands and rinsing out any breast-pump equipment;
• and access to hygienic storage alternatives for the mother to store her breast milk.

Many companies offer additional benefits. Ideally, Mother-Friendly businesses may customize their Mother-Friendly benefits to meet the company's and employed mothers' specific needs. For more information about the Texas Mother Friendly Worsite Program, visit http://www.tdh.texas.gov/lactate/mother.htm

Contact information:

Address:
Linda Vochatzer, BSN, RN, LCCE
Nurse Consultant
Perinatal Health Program
Bureau of Women's Health
Texas Department of Health
1100 W. 49th Street
Austin, TX 78756

Telephone: (512) 458-7111 ext. 6233

To learn how to become an official "Media Watcher" or to contact a Media Watch Coordinator in selected states, visit http://www.tdh.state.tx.us/lactate/media.htm#item1

Related information

• Texas Peer Counselor Program
  
  

Home | Contact Us

This page last updated November 18, 2003