Indiana Breastfeeding Coalition (IBC) A Coalition Working to Build Supportive Community Environments

Tina Cardarelli BSEd IBCLC Director of Breastfeeding Services IPN/IBC tcardarelli@indianaperinatal.org

Who is represented here today??

Developed relationship between schools and key partners Delivering hospital WIC program Breastfeeding coalitions Helped to establish lines of communication for referrals and informational support Chronic Disease

Who is the ibc and why Do WE Exist?

A Little History

IBC Mission To improve public health by making breastfeeding the norm through education, advocacy, and collaboration.

IBC Vision Working together with people throughout the state and from a variety of industries - governmental, nonprofit, health care, etc. - to promote and support breastfeeding.  

State Coalitions Community Coalitions

When Babies Don’t Breastfeed… 56% higher risk of SIDS 35% higher risk of Asthma (no family history) 67% higher risk of Asthma (with family history) 100% higher risk for Ear Infections 178% higher risk for Diarrhea & Vomiting (Gastrointestinal Infections) 64% higher risk for Type 2 Diabetes 23% higher risk for Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia 138% higher risk for Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) in preemies Risk of lower I.Q. – Average of 8 points lower Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ,2007) Why aren’t we discussing the “benefits” of breastfeeding? Because breastfeeding is the biologically normal way for babies to eat. Breastfeeding isn’t something extra or unique. A human baby is designed to breastfeed and digest human milk. Babies have always breastfed. There are not benefits to doing what is normal and routine. When a baby is fed with a substitute, there are potential risks ANY amount of breastfeeding is fantastic!!! New research suggests that ANY amount of breastfeeding can reduce the risk of SIDS. Formula fed children in America score on average 8 points lower than breastfed children when given cognitive tests. Studies from around the world confirm the difference in cognitive tests. This is a quote by a developmental molecular biologist who specializes in the human brain: “If our culture knew what breast milk could do for its youngest citizens, lactating mothers would be enshrined not embarrassed . . . Breast milk is the equivalent of a magic bullet for a developing baby’s brain and body.” – John Medina

When Women Don’t Breastfeed... They recover more slowly after birth Have Increased risk of: Breast Cancer Ovarian Cancer Endometrial Cancer Cardiovascular Disease Osteoporosis Type 2 Diabetes High Blood Pressure Metabolic Syndrome Anemia Postpartum Depression The longer a woman breastfeeds, the more her risk of breast cancer goes down The American Cancer Society now includes breastfeeding when discussing behaviors that can reduce a woman’s risk of breast cancer. One notable study in an aquatic Asian society, where they typically paddled canoes from one side and had a tradition of breastfeeding ONLY from the opposite breast, found that these women developed MUCH MORE breast cancer in the breast NOT used for breastfeeding. Breasts are designed to be used to feed babies, and the risk of breast cancer increases when breasts haven’t fed a baby. It is interesting to note that in many cultures, breasts are NOT objectified like they are in some western cultures. In many parts of the world, breasts are valued for their ability to nourish babies.

In the first year of life there were: 2033 excess office visits 212 excess days of hospitalization 609 excess prescriptions (per 1000 never-breastfed infants compared with 1000 infants exclusively breastfed for at least 3 months)

In addition to having more illnesses, formula-fed infants cost the health care system money. Health care plans will likely realize substantial savings, as well as providing improved care, by supporting and promoting exclusive breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding: priceless to your community Money saved by families/your community due to money not spent on formula $9,067,518.24 ($5.99x183 days x 8272) Money saved on reduced health care costs (Less Dr visits and Rxs) $2,068,000   Number of cans not in your landfill 1,488,960 (8272 x 30cans x 6 mo)  Health Care Costs of Formula-feeding in the First Year of Life by Thomas M. Ball, MD, MPH and Anne L. Wright, PhD, published in Pediatrics Vol. 103 No. 4 April 1999, pp. 870-876 births in area 8272 (Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Huntington, Noble, Wells, Whitley Counties)

Baby friendly hospitals

IU Health Methodist/Indianapolis 2002 Community Hospital Anderson 2005 IU Health Ball Memorial/Muncie 2008 IU Health Goshen (#100) 2010 IU Health Bloomington 2011 Columbus Regional Medical Center 2014 St Mary’s Hospital/Evansville 2014 Memorial Hospital of South Bend 2015 Deaconess Women’s Hospital/Evansville 2015 Reid Hospital/Richmond 2016 Henry County Hospital /New Castle 2016 Elkhart General Hospital 2016

http://www.indianaperinatal.org/?page=BF_Childcare

For Babies that are born too sick, too small or too soon, Providing safe mothers’ milk for fragile infants For Babies that are born too sick, too small or too soon, human milk can literally help save their life. In first food deserts, too many babies die before their 1st birthday

“It is everyone’s role to make breastfeeding easier” Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding,2011

www.indianabreastfeeding.org