Sherry L. Payne MSN RN CNE IBCLC DIVERSIFYING THE RANKS OF LACTATION PROFESSIONALS

WHY DO WE NEED MORE DIVERSIFICATION?

According to the CDC: African- American women are much less likely than any other ethnic group to breastfeed their babies, and that this lack of exposure to their mother’s milk allows for increased risk of morbidity and mortality. CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL

“Work to increase the number of racial and ethnic minority IBCLCs to better mirror the U.S. population. Racial and ethnic minority communities tend to be underserved by lactation consultants. More students from these communities could be trained in human lactation to increase careers in lactation consultation. Area Health Education Centers could be encouraged to establish community-based training sites in lactation services.” SURGEON GENERAL CALL TO ACTION

NEXT STEPS:  Dismantle structural systems of oppression that lock women of color out of opportunities- each organization must examine its on own culture and policies  Continue to examine equity issues through both a personal and organizational lens- strive to see the stumbling blocks for women of color  Give practical assistance, not just lip service- women of color need mentors, and scholarships, reimbursement for continuing education, ongoing practical support that sees them all the way through the process LACTATION SUMMIT

 Average mPINC Score 75  Percent of live births occurring at Baby-Friendly Facilities 7.79  Percent of breastfed infants receiving formula before 2 days of age 19.4  Number of La Leche League Leaders per 1,000 live births 0.90  Number of CLCs* per 1,000 live births 3.84  Number of IBCLCs* per 1,000 live births 3.48  State’s child care regulation supports onsite breastfeeding 7 US BREASTFEEDING REPORT CARD

OTHER VOICES

Breastfeeding and Racial Disparities in Infant Mortality; Celebrating Successes and Overcoming Barriers Clinical Lactation, ult/files/articlepdf/s1-CL%205- 1_PTR_A1_ pdf KATHLEEN KENDALL TACKETT

Lactation Consultants Need to Diversify Yesterday  By Kimberly Seals Allers  Women’s eNews  Thursday, August 2, 2012 KIMBERLY SEALS ALLERS

CYNTHIA GOOD MOJAB

 Equity in Breastfeeding; Where do we go From Here?  Lessons Learned from African American Women who Breastfeed  Can’t we all Just Get Along?  Pandora’s Box is Already Open; Answering the ongoing call to dismantle institutional oppression in the field of breastfeeding JOURNAL OF HUMAN LACTATION 2015

CURRENT RANKS

 According to the IBLCE website, there are 26,660 IBCLCs in 96 countries around the world  13,848 are in the United States (roughly half)  Racial categories are not currently tracked by IBLCE  Most IBCLCs are Caucasian, registered nurses or registered dietitians, female, and tend to be older rather than younger CURRENT RANKS OF IBCLCS

 CLC stands for Certified Lactation Counselor, not Certified Lactation Consultant  CLCs are often used to bridge the gap between WPCs and IBCLCs  There is a gap between the CLC credential and the IBCLC credential that is not easily breached, especially for those not holding a healthcare related degree or any degree WHAT ABOUT THE CLC CREDENTIAL

 WIC is strongly correlated with NOT Breastfeeding  The breastfeeding promotion within WIC is largely accomplished by WIC Peer counselors, the lowest paid, lactation supporters  Some WIC offices ‘encourage’ PCs to become IBCLCs, others support the progression of credentials  CLCs are often used to bridge the gap between WPCs and IBCLCs  There is a gap between the CLC credential and the IBCLC credential that is not easily breached WIC PEER COUNSELORS

WIC PARTICIPANTS

CULTURE SPECIFIC INTERVENTIONS

 Mission To increase perinatal and infant health equity in the urban core  Vision For every family, a healthy baby; For every baby, a healthy village UZAZI VILLAGE

BREASTFEEDING AND BABYWEARING AT UZAZI VILLAGE

 Building health equity through culturally specific interventions  NPR storyhttp://kcur.org/ post/kc-group-fights- breast-feeding- disparities- education-support THE VALUE OF CULTURALLY SPECIFIC CARE

 Program started in 2014  Sliding scale fees depending on hours needed and pathway  Partnership with local hospital  Candidates work in walk-in clinic alongside mentors (all volunteer LCs are also approved mentors) LACTATION MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

 1)increase the numbers of Lactation Consultants of Color serving the metropolitan area  2)improve and increase access to pathways to becoming an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant  3)utilize the expertise of seasoned IBCLCs and offer them an opportunity reproduce themselves in students of color  4)improve breastfeeding initiation and duration in previously underserved communities of color who have had historically limited access to any lactation professionals  5)decrease infant mortality and morbidity rates (as they are impacted by breastfeeding) through the promotion of breastfeeding in the urban core PROGRAM GOALS

 African-American specific  Facilitator Certification  La Leche League Peer Counselor Training  A ‘Sacred Space’ CHOCOLATE MILK CAFE

OTHER EFFORTS TO INCREASE THE RANKS OF IBCLCS OF COLOR

ROSE MASTER TRAINERS

 Mother Nurture Lactation College and Lactation Cohort  Paid internships funded by Kellog Grant over 3 years  College: 1 completed, 2 enrolled currently  Cohort: 6 last year, 11 this year BLACK MOTHERS BREASTFEEDING ASSOCIATION

Sherry L. Payne MSN RN CNE IBCLC Executive Director of Uzazi Village Blog: Urban Village Midwife CONTACT INFO