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Last Updated: 4/27/08


Breastfeeding Overview

CWA is working with multiple partners to improve breastfeeding rates among low-income women in California. Our goals are to increase initiation and duration of breastfeeding, particularly exclusive breastfeeding, as well as promote greater acceptance of breastfeeding as the accepted norm.

Hospital Breastfeeding Rates Reports

Working with Dr. Jane Heinig and the Human Lactation Center at UC Davis, CWA published A Fair Start for Better Health: California Hospitals Must Close the Gap in Exclusive Breastfeeding Rates in November 2007 and Reducing Obesity From the Start: California Hospitals Must Increase Exclusive Breastfeeding Rates in August 2006. Using hospital breastfeeding data collected by the hospitals, the reports looked at hospitals’ exclusive breastfeeding rates. The reports advocate for use of the California Model Hospital Policies recommended by the California Department of Public Health, focus on hospitals with low exclusive breastfeeding rates, and showcased those hospitals who have adopted the policies and have resulting improved exclusive breastfeeding rates. The third report is planned for release August 2008 focusing on increasing breastfeeding rates in hospital systems and community networks. 2007 County Fact Sheets   2006 County Fact Sheets

Breastfeeding Policy Papers

Working with Dr. Jane Heinig and the Human Lactation Center at UC Davis CWA published and disseminated two breastfeeding policy briefs, for use in federal, state and local issues education with key decision makers. The briefs cover the breastfeeding-obesity link and overcoming barriers to breastfeeding in low-income communities.

Streamlining Medi-Cal

Working with members of the lactation community and the Department of Health Care Services, CWA is tackling the complex Medi-Cal regulations related to breastfeeding consultations and equipment. Steps are being taken to streamline the regulations, in order to make it easier for lactation professionals to tap this important resource. This could dramatically improve access to critical breastfeeding services among women who currently have very little direct support when they need it.

Worksite Lactation Support

CWA is working with lactation advocates across the state to improve lactation support in the workplace for mothers returning to work.

Areas of focus include:

  • Meetings with the Labor Commission to assist mothers and employers in understanding the provisions for lactation in the workplace.
  • Trainings for breastfeeding coalition members on The Business Case for Breastfeeding and outreach to employers.
  • Policy brief planned for October 2008: Lactation Support in the Low Wage Worksite.
  • Click here for info and resources on the law.

Breastfeeding Coalition Partnerships

CWA is the fiscal sponsor of the California Breastfeeding Coalition (CBC) and works closely with the member local breastfeeding coalitions across the state. CWA provides support to the CBC and local coalitions with strategic planning for increasing legislative capacity, advocacy training, needs assessment, sponsorship solicitation for the CBC, and communications support.

The statewide CBC meeting is on the preconference day of the statewide WIC meeting at the same location.

Breastfeeding Legislation

CWA sponsored and with help from the breastfeeding coalitions, passed, SB 22 (Migden 2007) that includes several provisions for improved support of breastfeeding including:

  • Streamlining Medi-Cal regulations for breastfeeding
  • Education on the California Model Hospital Policies, for hospital administrators in hospitals with the lowest breastfeeding rates
  • Funding for expanding breastfeeding peer counselor programs if funding becomes available

Read the bill at: www.senate.ca.gov

Additionally CWA provides advocacy and media training for breastfeeding advocates on an ongoing basis for statewide events and coalition meetings.

Breastfeeding Success Stories Website

www.breastfeedforall.org

CWA, supported by the WIC Branch, has launched a new website: “Breastfeeding Success: You Can Do It!” The new site is designed to encourage and support low-income women of color in choosing and staying with breastfeeding, tapping the real-life stories of 12 wonderful moms who were featured in a booklet originally produced by Berkeley WIC. Breastfeeding facts and policy points were added to help advocates educate decision makers, and links are provided to key breastfeeding sites as well.

Breastfeeding Awareness Walk

The California WIC Association and the California Breastfeeding Coalition with help from the California WIC Program are organizing a Breastfeeding Awareness Walk throughout California on October 15, 2008. Go to our Breastfeeding Walk page to read about the successful 2007 walk and check back for updates and a planning tool kit for 2008.

Mother-Baby Friendly Workplace Awards

Start planning for the 2008 Mother Baby Friendly Workplace Awards slated for October 15, 2008. Check back here for applications and tool kit materials for recognizing employers at the state and local level. Read about the third annual 2007 Mother-Baby-Friendly Workplace Awards for businesses that support their breastfeeding families. This is a collaborative effort between CWA, the California Breastfeeding Coalition, the Regional Breastfeeding Coalitions and the California Task Force on Youth and Workplace Wellness.

Breastmilk Use in Hospitals

CWA worked with the Department of Health Services and groups throughout the state to clarify the tissue banking regulations as they relate to the handling and utilization of breastmilk in hospitals. CWA was a co-sponsor of SB246 (Figueroa) which exempts hospitals from being required to have a tissue bank license for milk a mother expresses for her own baby.

Tissue Bank Links & Downloads: