Celebrating 30 years of Breastfeeding Support and How to Keep it Flowing

In 1996 the New Hampshire Breastfeeding Task Force began as a statewide initiative through the NH Department of Health and Human Services to protect, promote and support breastfeeding by assembling a volunteer coalition of lactation experts and advocates across the state. Since its inception the "Task Force" has achieved successes in advocacy such as the right to breastfeed in public (HB 441) legislation signed by Governor Jeanne Shaheen in 1999, workplace support legislation, breastfeeding friendly childcare practices as well as statewide education and promotion of The Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding support in maternity units and obstetrical practices across the state of New Hampshire. In 2014 the Task Force officially became a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and continues to lead the state in important breastfeeding promotion initiatives.

Concord Hospital Health System is an approved provider of nursing continuing professional development by the Northeast Multistate Division Education Unit, an accredited Approver of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center Commission on Accreditation.

Info: Lissa will review legislative efforts underway in New Hampshire and review the process for becoming involved in breastfeeding advocacy and the legislative process.

Info: This session identifies how mothers' thoughts can undermine their breastfeeding efforts and how formula companies often prey upon these thoughts. Participants will learn how partners, grandmothers, community groups and healthcare providers can avoid ineffective support and provide effective support.

Info: Public health officials have been sounding the alarm about the “obesity epidemic,” not only in the U.S., but in industrialized nations around the world. In response, breastfeeding is offered as an important preventative measure for both maternal and childhood obesity. This presentation provides an overview of current research on surprising causes of obesity, such as sleep disorders, psychological trauma, and discrimination, and outlines the limitations of current approaches. This session also describes research on the impact of BMI on breastfeeding and provides practical steps for working with mothers with higher BMIs.

Info: Between 5% to 6% of pregnant and breastfeeding women in the U.S. use cannabis. Rates are significantly higher when other risk factors, such as unplanned pregnancy, childhood abuse, and 3 or more stressors in the past year are included. This session addresses important questions and offers suggestions for creating a safe environment for mothers to discuss their cannabis use so providers can help families plan for ensuring infant safety, caring for the mother, supporting breastfeeding (when possible), and facilitating mother-infant attachment.

Info: The goals of this presentation are to describe mothers’ feelings following loss of breastfeeding and guide them towards establishing a secure attachment with their babies. This approach does not minimize the importance of breastfeeding. Rather, it refocuses mothers’ attention on a key and still-attainable parenting goal. Drawing upon recent and classic literature from developmental psychology, participants will learn four evidence-based methods parents can use that increase the likelihood of secure attachment.

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