Breastfeeding in Businesses: New River Health District Laura Alexander, Health Educator Senior, New River Health District Katie Van Horn, NRVCS Prevention Specialist and Floyd’s Healthy Communities Action Team Facilitator

Learning Objectives  Describe lessons learned from a community breastfeeding intervention  Identify strategies for establishing lactation rooms in community businesses  Identify resources available for a community breastfeeding intervention

Breastfeeding and Obesity  Optimal breastfeeding reduces a child’s risk of:  Obesity  Type 1 diabetes  Type 2 diabetes  Optimal breastfeeding reduces a mother’s risk of:  Diabetes  Hypertension  Postpartum weight retention (CAROLINA GLOBAL BREASTFEEDING INSTITUTE)

Breastfeeding in the New River Valley  54.2% of respondents in Perinatal Region 1 initiated breastfeeding – lowest in VA (PRAMS )  45.8% NEVER initiated breastfeeding – highest in VA (PRAMS )  33% of WIC participants in New River were breastfeeding (WIC 2011) Perinatal Region 1 consists of the following health districts: Lenowisco, Cumberland Plateau, Mount Rogers, New River, Roanoke Alleghany, and West Piedmont

Business Support/Education Project  Funding from VDH to:  Educate businesses about pro-breastfeeding policies  Help businesses adopt pro-breastfeeding policies  Establish five lactation rooms in businesses (provided pumps, refrigerators, and chairs if necessary) HRSA Business Case for Breastfeeding Kit Medela Symphony Hospital-Grade Multi- User Breast pump

Process  Identified businesses with sufficient female workforce OR female visitors in Floyd County (n=10)  Mailed letters, followed up with phone calls  Utilized personal connections to community members, business owners  ZERO traditional businesses expressed willingness to set up lactation rooms or adopt supportive policies  Space constraints  Perceived lack of need  Lack of interest by business owners

Interested Organizations  Floyd County Department of Social Services  Floyd County Public Schools  Blue Mountain School

Department of Social Services  Policy for Supporting Breastfeeding Employees  Milk expression breaks  Staff support for breastfeeding  Communication between staff/supervisors  Policy language, structure from Business Case for Breastfeeding Kit

Schools  Floyd County Schools:  Superintendent officially supported program; left final decisions up to principals  4/5 principals agreed to set up lactation rooms  Adopted policies supporting breastfeeding  Blue Mountain School:  Established lactation room  Strengthened relationship between school/health department

Lactation Rooms

Community Business Support  Restaurants  Clothing stores  Beauty shop  Insurance  Real estate  Financial management  Art gallery  Print shop  Telecommunications company  Farmer supply  Dental practices  Wellness center  Salon  Antique store  Gift shop  Distributed “Breastfeeding Welcome Here” decals to 30 businesses in Floyd

Breastfeeding Welcome Here

Lessons Learned – Macro level  Be flexible! Don’t be afraid to change the plan if it doesn’t work exactly they way you hoped  Utilize pre-existing relationships, community work, support, momentum, whatever you can!  Utilize whatever champions you have – superintendent was vital to the success of this project  Understand and respect the community norms, values, and history

Lessons Learned – Micro level  Providing a multi-user pump is great – also consider providing attachment kits (tubing, shields, etc.)  Other amenities that can make a lactation room even more useful include a way to play music and a clock  Women may not feel comfortable publically advertising pumping – they may prefer to not have a sign on the door

Thank you! Contact Us: Laura Alexander, MPH, Health Educator Senior – ext Katie Van Horn, NRVCS Prevention Specialist– Special Thanks to David Moore and Deanna Swortzel Project Funded by the Virginia Department of Health