Massachusetts Breastfeeding Initiative

"The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality recently published a report of the effects of breastfeeding on infant and maternal health outcomes based on a review of nearly 500 studies. The authors confirmed that breastfeeding is associated with an infant’s reduction in risk of acute otitis media, non-specific gastroenteritis, severe lower respiratory tract infections, necrotizing enterocolitis and SIDS. The review of the literature also demonstrates that the lack of breastfeeding and early formula feeding contribute to the rising incidence of chronic diseases in childhood and adolescence, including type I and type II diabetes, asthma, atopic dermatitis, childhood leukemia and overweight. For maternal outcomes, a history of lactation was associated with a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancer as well as type II diabetes.


In order to achieve many of these health benefits, breastfeeding must be the primary method of feeding during the first year of life. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies be exclusively breastfed (i.e., fed only breastmilk) for the first 6 months, and continue to be breastfed, with the addition of other appropriate foods, until at least one year of age.

In Massachusetts, the percentage of mothers who report their intention to breastfeed at the time of hospital discharge (79.3% in 2005) meets the Healthy People 2010 goal for breastfeeding initiation. However, many of these mothers stop breastfeeding in the early weeks following their baby’s birth, and by 6 months, less than half of all mothers report they are still nursing."
 
Take a moment and read the full initiative plan here.  Know hospital staff should be supporting your decision to breastfeed, if you so choose to do so. 
 
Guidelines for Breastfeeding Initiation and Support
Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Bureau of Family Health and Nutrition, Rev. 2008

Breastfeeding Help

Nursing your infant is as natural as it gets, but it does not happen without obstacles for many women.  My first time breastfeeding was, seemingly, as painful as it gets.  My nipples were sore, cracked and bleeding.  They scabbed over and my little boy was getting my blood all over his face while he nursed.  I winced in pain with each suck.  Turns out, he wasn't latched on properly.  I called the lactation consultant at the hospital, crying, because of my bloody-faced infant.  She gently reminded me that we shared the same blood supply for 40 weeks.  I stopped crying.  She explained things to me, suggested reading and websites and things got better.  Many moms feel that if they're doing it wrong it makes them a bad mother.  Bad, no.  Inexperienced, yes.  And there's nothing wrong with being inexperienced.  Hundreds of years ago when a woman had a baby the whole family and/or community gathered around.  Women knew how to birth and nurse from watching women all around them do it for years.  Now a days, for many women, the first birth they witness is that of their first child.

Breastfeeding Support Resources


•La Leche League International
800-LA-LECHE
La Leche League volunteers answer questions and refer callers to local La Leche League leaders. You can also call (847) 519-7730 or visit www.lalecheleague.org and enter your local zip code for automatic referral to a leader near you.

•International Lactation Consultant Association
Visit http://www.ilca.org/ to locate a board-certified lactation consultant near you.

•Nursing Mothers Council
617-244-5102
NMC provides telephone counseling, pump rentals and sales, consultations and referrals, and home visits (on a limited basis, small fee may apply).

•Massachusetts WIC Nutrition Program
800-WIC-1007
WIC provides nutrition and breastfeeding counseling, nutritious foods, and health and social service referrals to eligible women, infants, and children. Call to be directed to a local WIC program in your area.

•Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition
Visit www.massbfc.org for breastfeeding information, patient materials, clinical guidelines and an on-line Breastfeeding Resource Guide, including local breastfeeding support programs.

•The Center for Breastfeeding: Healthy Children Project
1-508-888-8044
Provides breastfeeding classes, support groups, and a breastfeeding warm line (1-888-890-2229) to mothers and professionals on Cape Cod and Islands.

•National Women’s Health Information Center
Visit www.4women.gov for excellent breastfeeding education materials and professional references.
Drug Information Services

•Lactation Studies Center University of Rochester
585-275-0088

•University of California at San Diego Drug Information Service
619-543-6971

Breastpump Rental Companies

•Ameda-Egnell/Hollister
800-323-8750

•Medela, Inc.
800-435-8316
Sources for Education Materials

•WIC Nutrition Program
800-WIC-1007

•Childbirth Graphics
800-299-3366

•Noodle Soup
800-795-9295

•Health Education Associates
508-888-8044

•Lactation Associates
781-893-3553

•La Leche League International
847-519-7730

Breastfeeding : Know Your Rights

If you choose to breastfeed your child in the state of Massachusetts, you should be aware of your rights.

In 2007, Governor Deval Patrick passed the senate bill, No. 2438 An Act to Promote Breastfeeding.  This allows a nursing mother to provide her baby nourishment in any public place without harassment.  Anyone that does harass a nursing mother can be fined up to $500. 

If you choose to work after the birth of your baby, you have the right to express milk on an unpaid lunch or break without fear of getting reprimanded or losing your job, per senate bill, No. 75 An Act Protecting The Rights of Nursing Mothers.  You also cannot be denied employment simply because you'll be pumping on your breaks. 

Unfortunately there is no law requiring employers to provide anything but a toilet stall for pumping.  The law states, "The employer or labor organization shall make reasonable efforts to provide a room or other location in close proximity to the work area, other than a toilet stall, where the employee can express her breast milk in privacy."  If there is no other location, you get the bathroom.  I pumped in a secluded bathroom when I was pumping for my first son.  The bathroom didn't lock, but fortunately was big enough to put a chair inside and up against the door.  I made a sign to go on the door, but I worked with special needs children and a lot of them couldn't read.  I spent a lot of time getting bumped in the back.  At least I didn't have to sit on the toilet...