Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital’s Post

Supporting breastfeeding for all involves a combination of education, advocacy, and providing accessible resources. Here are some ways to help close the gap: 1. Education and Awareness Public Education Campaigns: Raise awareness about the benefits of breastfeeding for both mothers and babies through media campaigns, community workshops, and social media. Healthcare Professional Training: Ensure that healthcare providers, including nurses and doctors, are well-trained to support and encourage breastfeeding from the prenatal period through postpartum care. 2. Workplace Support Paid Maternity Leave: Advocate for policies that provide paid maternity leave, giving mothers the time they need to establish breastfeeding. Lactation Rooms: Encourage employers to provide private, clean, and comfortable spaces for breastfeeding or pumping at work. Flexible Work Hours: Promote flexible working arrangements to accommodate breastfeeding schedules. 3. Access to Resources Lactation Consultants: Provide access to lactation consultants who can offer personalized support to mothers facing challenges with breastfeeding. Breastfeeding Support Groups: Facilitate the formation of support groups where mothers can share experiences and receive encouragement from others. Affordable Breastfeeding Supplies: Ensure that essential supplies like breast pumps and nursing pads are affordable and accessible to all mothers. 4. Community Support Normalize Breastfeeding: Work to normalize breastfeeding in public spaces by creating a culture of acceptance and respect. Support in Underserved Areas: Focus efforts on reaching mothers in underserved communities who may face additional barriers to breastfeeding, such as lack of access to healthcare or education. 5. Policy and Advocacy Breastfeeding-Friendly Policies: Advocate for policies that protect and promote breastfeeding, such as the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) and legislation that protects the right to breastfeed in public. Equity in Healthcare: Address disparities in healthcare that may affect breastfeeding, particularly among minority and low-income communities. 6. Inclusive Messaging Cultural Sensitivity: Ensure that breastfeeding support and education are culturally sensitive and inclusive, recognizing the diverse needs and experiences of different communities. Engaging Fathers and Partners: Include fathers and partners in breastfeeding education to build a supportive home environment. By taking a comprehensive approach that addresses these different areas, we can help close the gap and support breastfeeding for all mothers and babies.

BREASTFEEDING WEEK DAY 4 Today I choose to spotlight a gray area in the breastfeeding journey of many new moms; " LACTATION SUPPORT" As you are already aware, breastfeeding doesn't come to some mothers easily. For some it may take a few days to lactate or before become adjusted to their new reality. Studies from the Centre for Disease Control have shown that early experiences by mothers during breastfeeding could determine if they would reach the 6months goal or not. Support from partner, family, friends, healthcare givers, colleagues and community cannot be overemphasized if more women would be able to commit to reaching the breastfeeding goal. We cannot forget the role of government and legislators in enacting policies that protect, promote and encourage breastfeeding as a contributing factor to ensuring the goal is met. More mothers and nursing parents need to hear the exclamation " You are doing well" as appraiser for their efforts in breastfeeding. As a way to support these parents, lactation support groups need to be created. In Nigeria, aside the hospital support groups, it is difficult to find other s. TYPES OF LACTATION SUPPORT GROUPS. ▶️ Hospital Based Support group: It is common in hospitals to have lactation support groups for new parents where they lecture them on the importance of breastfeeding, the how to breastfeed and storage of breastmilk when necessary for later use. ▶️ Community based groups These are usually run by lactation educators or midwives where they meet at a community centre or parks and they provide support for new moms, teach them and answer their pertinent questions. In Nigeria, they are common in health centers and are run by the local midwives. The 'Omwugo' system can also be placed here ▶️ Online based group This seems to be one of the most convenient support group types because of the diversity and convince it provides members. They are usually run by lactation educators & participants can meet virtually and receive support as they so desire. Although known, this support group has not been explored extensively in Nigeria. WHAT HAPPENS IN A SUPPORT GROUP Breastfeeding can be a lot and for first time moms, a new terrain never threaded before. The essence of support groups is to guide a new mom with the necessary information, she requires to meet her goals. Some of the actions that happen in a support group are 🗓️Counselling to new moms 🗓️ Group discussions 🗓️ Share experiences & triumphs 🗓️Sessions for men to teach them how to support their partners 🗓️Share information on child handling & hygiene during breastfeeding. 🗓️Educate moms on handling use of materials and tools such as breast pumps to ease the stress 🗓️ Provide reassurance for moms on their journey In conclusion, breastfeeding moms need all the love and support they can get. More resources The Academy of Public Health (The APH) ⚕️ Pic: Algerian politician Larissa Waters breastfeeding her baby in parliament. #health

Here's a scholarship for people who provide lactation support voluntarily, including La Leche League Leaders, Chocolate Milk Cafe facilitators, etc. Please share this opportunity widely with other volunteer breastfeeding supporters. This scholarship is for an online conference that will be available for three months. There are at least 14 speakers (so assume at least 14 hours of breastfeeding education) whose presentations will be recorded- not sure if they are live initially. CERPs will be awarded. NOTE: You MUST be a volunteer breastfeeding supporter who is NOT qualified as a health professional, and NOT in paid employment for your breastfeeding support work. --- A Little bit of LLLove for Valentine’s Day --- Apply for one of the iLactation Little bit of LLLove Scholarships. Please complete the application by February 14th, 2024. We have three full scholarships and several half scholarships to give away to attend our upcoming Milk • Nurture • Wisdom online breastfeeding conference. https://lnkd.in/eeft9S8p What you need to do – please complete the form on the page and click the blue Submit button. If you have any difficulties with the form please contact iLactation via https://lnkd.in/e4wcGPHD. The fine print: Little bit of LLLove scholarships are awarded at the discretion of iLactation and decisions are final. “Full scholarship” means the full conference fee of $220 is covered. “Half scholarship” means you receive a 50% discount on the applicable conference fees for your country category, and you agree to pay 50% yourself. If you do not wish to accept a half scholarship if offered, please indicate this in your application below. Scholarships must be taken for the March-June 2024 conference and cannot be redeemed for money. Scholarships are not limited to volunteers with LLL, volunteers and peer counselors from other breastfeeding support organizations are also welcome to apply. Previous scholarship recipients are not eligible for further scholarships.

This week is World Breastfeeding Week so we had a chat with Registered Nurse and Lactation Consultant Elizabeth Banks. She is a Breastfeeding Advisor at Hawke's Bay Hosptial and has been a valued member of the team for 23 years! How did you get into this line of work? After being a Public Health Nurse for several years I came to Hastings Maternity in 2001. I worked as a Registered Nurse in the Post Natal Ward when the Baby Friendly Hospital (BFHI) Audit was introduced I loved spending time with mothers and helping them breastfeed their babies. Almost all mothers just want their baby to breastfeed well and without any pain! I found the work so rewarding I decided to become a lactation consultation and then became the Breastfeeding Advisor in 2010. What does a Breastfeeding Advisor do? I have a clinical role (supporting whānau to breastfeed their pēpi) and also guide the Maternity Unit through the Baby Friendly Audit. This means I am responsible for teaching and training staff regarding breastfeeding and ensuring hapu whānau and new mothers get full support in hospital and to prepare them for feeding once they go home. I also hold monthly Antenatal Breastfeeding Classes at the hospital, for hapu whānau. What are the benefits of breastfeeding? So many benefits for both māmā and pēpi. Colostrum or early milk is the baby’s first immunisation. It sets up the baby for long term health that potentially lasts a lifetime. Breastmilk is more than just food, it is a communication tool between māmā and pēpi. Breastmilk is the perfect food for baby, it changes over 24 hours and from day-to-day as the baby develops. For baby it decreases the risk of urine infections, chest infections and gastrointestinal illness. There is a lower risk of SUDI when baby breastfeeds and baby even has softer poo! For māmā breastfeeding decreases the risk of hemorrhage after birth. Lowers risk of breast and ovarian cancer and osteoporosis. Most women have better weight control after birth when they breastfeed. It is free and easy to prepare with no warming and no waste! What does a typical day in your work life look like? I usually start and check in with staff. I get written referrals, or staff let me know who might need extra support with breastfeeding for the shift. Once I have seen these māmā and pēpi, I often make feeding plans in partnership with the whānau. I don’t see every māmā, only those who might be having issues latching or for another specific clinical reason. After the ward work, it’s office work for our four yearly Baby Friendly Hospital Audit. This includes statistics, policy reviews and teaching of staff. What’s the best part of your job? Spending time with women and their whānau and teaching them how to latch and feed baby well.

World Breastfeeding Week 2024: Closing the Gap in Breastfeeding Support for All World Breastfeeding Week, celebrated annually in the first week of August, is a global campaign initiated by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) in 1992. Supported by organizations like WHO, UNICEF, and numerous health ministries, this week aims to raise public awareness about the critical role of breastfeeding. The theme for 2024, ‘Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All’ 🌐🤝, highlights the importance of enhancing breastfeeding support and reducing inequalities, particularly during crises and emergencies. This theme underscores the necessity for universal access to breastfeeding support. Breastfeeding offers numerous benefits for both mothers and infants: Provides essential nutrition 🍼 Protects infants from various illnesses 🛡️ Reduces the risk of gastrointestinal issues, a leading cause of infant mortality Contains vital antibodies that help build a strong immune system 💪 For mothers: Lowers the risk of breast cancer 🎗️, diabetes, ovarian cancer, and postpartum depression Aids in returning to pre-pregnancy weight 🏋️♀️ Fosters emotional bonding with the baby ❤️👶 Despite these benefits, many mothers face significant challenges, such as returning to work soon after childbirth 🏢, lack of adequate breastfeeding education 📚, and insufficient support in public spaces and workplaces 🚫. WHO and UNICEF recommend starting breastfeeding within the first hour of birth ⏳ and exclusively breastfeeding for the first six months. However, some studies in India reveal that less than 50% of women exclusively breastfeed for the first six months 📉, with even lower rates in urban areas. I found that some of the contributing factors include inadequate paid maternity leave 🕒💼, a cultural preference for formula feeding 🍼❌, and a lack of support in public and workplace settings. I believe closing the gap in breastfeeding support is crucial and we need comprehensive healthcare programs 🏥 that educate the public about the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months. Access to lactation support and guidance should be available in both public and private hospitals 🏩. Policies advocating for paid maternity leave, workplace accommodations, and public breastfeeding spaces are essential to support mothers 💼🏠. Breastfeeding is a critical component in achieving many of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 🌍 and fostering a healthier society. How can we close the gap in breastfeeding support? 🤱🏼💬 I'm eager to hear your thoughts and learn about any organizations or healthcare programs and practices in India dedicated to advocating for breastfeeding support. #WBW2024 #ClosingTheGap #BreastfeedingSupportForAll #worldbreastfeedingweek2024 #breastfeeding #SDGs #WABA #HealthEquity #GlobalHealth #PublicHealth #BreastfeedingEducation #MaternalAndChildHealth

🚨New Media Alert FORBES - Celebrating Black Breastfeeding Week FORBES - Why Are Black Women The Least Likely To Breastfeed? Examining Barriers to Black Breastfeeding by Janice Gassam Asare, Ph.D. Salute to Janice Gassam Asare, Ph.D. for featuring Mama Glow & Mama Glow Foundation & the impactful work we have done to improve Black breastfeeding rates through professional training. “Compared to their white counterparts, Black mothers & birthing people are less likely to initiate breastfeeding—& once they start breastfeeding, they are less likely to continue the practice for long enough to confer the benefits onto their infants,” shared Latham Thomas. Thomas is a trailblazer in Black maternal health advocacy and is the founder of the Mama Glow Foundation, a Brooklyn-based organization that trains & supports doulas. “Black women are less likely to receive community support postpartum,” Thomas explained, “Are more likely to have to return to work shortly after birth, & less likely to have intergenerational examples of breastfeeding success.” According to a 2015 research study, contributors to the racial disparities in breastfeeding rates include the fact that Black women return to work sooner, on average, than women of other races & also that Black women work in roles with work hours that make breastfeeding more challenging. Barriers to exclusive breastfeeding among Black mothers include “lack of access to and knowledge of breastfeeding laws & policies, as well as negative cultural norms or stigma”. Research indicates that doula support can play a vital role in breastfeeding initiation. One way to address the racial disparities in breastfeeding could be providing Black mothers & birthing people with greater access to doula support. Latham Thomas created the Mama Glow Foundation & the First Foods Justice Breastfeeding Certificate Program for Doulas with this objective in mind. Thomas explained that the goals of the program are to “train and certify 100 community care workers & doulas as Community Lactation Educators, serve marginalized people with lactation support & to measure the outcomes & capture feeding success experiences within the program.” #mamaglowfoundation #mamaglow #blackbreastfeedingweek https://lnkd.in/gupCAwVs

📣 Exciting Innovations in Breastfeeding Support! 🤱🍼 👉 Did you know that only 83.8% of mothers attempt breastfeeding, and 60% stop earlier than planned? But don't worry, innovative companies are supporting breastfeeding moms. Let's check them out: 1️⃣ SimpliFed: A virtual support platform offering judgment-free advice on breastfeeding, formula feeding, and breast pump usage. Their video appointments make professional support accessible. 💻💕 2️⃣ Nyssa : Introducing the FourthWear Postpartum Bralette - a comfortable and supportive bralette with pockets for ice/heat packs. Say goodbye to breastfeeding issues! 🤱❄️🔥 3️⃣ Work & Mother: Addressing the needs of working moms, Work & Mother provides compliant lactation suites. These suites support professional continuity and working moms' well-being. 💼🤱 4️⃣ Lactamo: Tackling breastfeeding challenges like engorgement and blocked milk ducts, Lactamo's reusable silicone ball combines temperature, movement, and compression to aid lactation effectively. 🍼🏀 📚 Want to learn more? Read Brittany Barreto, Ph.D.'s Forbes article here 👉 https://loom.ly/vrMBS_s #BreastfeedingSupport #MaternalHealth #Innovation #Parenting #ForbesWomen #womenshealth #femtech #femalehealth #breastfeedingmothers #forbesarticle #breastfeeding #breastfeedingmother #infant #parenting #postpartum #workingmoms #lactationsupport

It's World Breastfeeding Week! 🤱🏾 For a variety of reasons, breastfeeding isn’t always adopted in some of the countries we serve. But breastfeeding does help newborn health outcomes, especially for babies born into fragile contexts. Read our recent blog to find out more about the impact of breastfeeding and how Medical Teams educates and supports mothers and children: https://buff.ly/4fo6uUt

🚨New Media Alert FORBES - Celebrating Black Breastfeeding Week FORBES - Why Are Black Women The Least Likely To Breastfeed? Examining Barriers to Black Breastfeeding by Janice Gassam Asare, Ph.D. Salute to Janice Gassam Asare, Ph.D. for featuring Mama Glow Mama Glow Foundation & the impactful work we have done to improve Black breastfeeding rates through professional training. “Compared to their white counterparts, Black mothers & birthing people are less likely to initiate breastfeeding—& once they start breastfeeding, they are less likely to continue the practice for long enough to confer the benefits onto their infants,” shared Latham Thomas. Thomas is a trailblazer in Black maternal health advocacy and is the founder of the Mama Glow Foundation, a Brooklyn-based organization that trains & supports doulas. “Black women are less likely to receive community support postpartum,” Thomas explained, “Are more likely to have to return to work shortly after birth, & less likely to have intergenerational examples of breastfeeding success.” According to a 2015 research study, contributors to the racial disparities in breastfeeding rates include the fact that Black women return to work sooner, on average, than women of other races & also that Black women work in roles with work hours that make breastfeeding more challenging. Barriers to exclusive breastfeeding among Black mothers include “lack of access to and knowledge of breastfeeding laws & policies, as well as negative cultural norms or stigma”. Research indicates that doula support can play a vital role in breastfeeding initiation. One way to address the racial disparities in breastfeeding could be providing Black mothers & birthing people with greater access to doula support. Latham Thomas created the Mama Glow Foundation & the First Foods Justice Breastfeeding Certificate Program for Doulas with this objective in mind. Thomas explained that the goals of the program are to “train and certify 100 community care workers & doulas as Community Lactation Educators, serve marginalized people with lactation support & to measure the outcomes & capture feeding success experiences within the program.” #mamaglowfoundation #mamaglow #blackbreastfeedingweek https://lnkd.in/dMRbzDFw

Exploring Cultural Influences on Breastfeeding in Kenya. In Kenya, breastfeeding isn't just about nutrition; it's a deeply rooted cultural practice that intertwines #traditions , beliefs, and #community values. Understanding these cultural influences is pivotal in promoting breastfeeding and ensuring the health and well-being of infants. Norms and Traditions: From generation to generation, Kenyan mothers🤱 have passed down the tradition of breastfeeding. It's considered not only a natural way to nourish a child but also a symbol of maternal love and bonding. Elders and community leaders often play a significant role in upholding these norms, emphasizing the importance of breastfeeding for both the baby's health and the mother's well-being. Cultural Beliefs: Kenya's diverse ethnic groups bring a rich tapestry of beliefs surrounding breastfeeding. Some communities believe in the concept of "colostrum" – the first milk produced after childbirth – as a potent source of nutrients and antibodies, while others may have taboos or superstitions regarding breastfeeding practices. These beliefs shape mothers' behaviors and attitudes towards breastfeeding, influencing their decision-making process. Social Support and Community: In Kenya, breastfeeding is not just a maternal responsibility but a communal affair. Extended family members, neighbors, and community elders often provide support and guidance to new mothers, sharing traditional knowledge and practices related to breastfeeding. This collective support system fosters a sense of solidarity and empowerment among mothers, strengthening their resolve to breastfeed. Addressing Challenges: Despite the cultural reverence for breastfeeding, modern challenges such as urbanization, globalization, and socioeconomic factors have introduced new dynamics. Working mothers may face obstacles in balancing breastfeeding with employment, while cultural shifts towards formula feeding may undermine traditional practices. Addressing these challenges requires a holistic approach that respects cultural values while integrating evidence-based strategies for promoting breastfeeding. In this video, https://lnkd.in/d9fuNKhe I addressed Common challenges faced by Kenyan women in regards to breastfeeding. Remember to have a look as well 💕💯 In conclusion, cultural influences play a profound role in shaping breastfeeding practices in Kenya. By recognizing and respecting these cultural dynamics, we can create tailored interventions and support systems that empower mothers to embrace breastfeeding while honoring their cultural heritage. Together, we can ensure that every child in Kenya receives the gift of optimal nutrition and health through breastfeeding #breastfeeding #healthandnutrition #Kenyancultures #experttips #muminawellness