University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Hospital was designated a Baby Friendly Hospital in November, 2015 through Baby-Friendly USA's Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative. Baby-Friendly Designation is based on evidence-based findings that breastfeeding is beneficial for babies and mothers and recognizes hospitals and birthing centers that successfully implement the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding to support breastfeeding mothers and provide them the information and resources necessary to breastfeed. UAB Hospital staff and administrators began pursuing a Baby Friendly certification in 2011 by creating consistent messaging to promote breastfeeding, through focus groups with pregnant women and new moms, and by reaching out to specialists, such as obstetricians and ...
Chapter 2: The WIC Participant Experience, in the second in a series of three reports on the Review of WIC Food Packages, summarizes evidence of complex behavioral and environmental factors that influence participation in Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and redemption of WIC foods. Research suggests cultural variation in infant and child feeding practices, which may affect participation in WIC and redemption of WIC benefits. For example, Latinos have lower breastfeeding prevalence than Whites and Asians. Additionally, one study in Maryland found that Latinos preferred beans over peanut butter and they disliked frozen and canned vegetables. Cultural variations, like these, as well as administrative barriers, affect Latino mother's and ...
The Springfield, Miss. City Council rewrote an indecency law in September 2015, after two Free the Nipple protests in August 2015, in which protestors showed up topless with only tape covering their nipples. This was legal under the previous law, but the new law makes it a crime to show the female breast below a point immediately above the top of the areola. However, women in the adult entertainment business and women breastfeeding infants less than 1-year-old are exempt. This law is viewed by many to disriminate based on gender and to criminalize breastfeeding and pumping. On October 26, 2015, Free the Nipple and local residents, with help from the American Civil Liberties Union, filed a lawsuit suing the city. Deb Hipp of Courthouse News Service stated, "The plaintiffs claim ...
Effective on September 1, 2015, HB 786 creates the right for Texas public employees to express breast milk in the workplace and prohibits public employers from discriminating against employees because they assert their right to express breast milk. Studies have shown short- and long-term health benefits of breastfeeding for both the child and mother, such as reduced obesity. Unfortunately, working mothers, especially Latina mothers, face many barriers to breastfeeding, thus do not continue for as long they intend. Texas is 38.6% Latino. Public employers in Texas are required to provide time and a place for employees to express breast milk. The location must be private and cannot be a bathroom. According to the HB 786 summary analysis:
"For many, the bathroom is the only ...
USDA Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) announces the Loving Support Award of Excellence program to recognize local WIC agencies that have provided exemplary breastfeeding promotion and support activities. Obesity risk is a grave concern facing WIC agencies because low-income children are at the greatest risk for obesity and are the least likely to breastfeed. In California, 80% of Latina women initiate breastfeeding, but only 29% breastfeed exclusively while in the hospital. Since a major goal of the WIC Program is to improve the nutritional status of infants, WIC mothers are encouraged to breastfeed their infants, and WIC agencies are provided with evidence-based programs and training, such as breastfeeding peer counselors, to support WIC ...
On or before January 1, 2017, Illinois (16.7% Latino) airports must provide a private space at each airport terminal for mother's to express breast milk. The Illinois public act, Lactation Accommodation in Airports Act, states that these private nursing spaces cannot be in a public restroom and they must include a chair and an electrical outlet. Chicago O'Hare International Airport had already opened a room for nursing mothers in one terminal in September 2014 and plans to open a room in each of the three other terminals by the end of 2015. Low breastfeeding and high formula use negatively impact kid's weight. Not only do health professionals and public health officials agree that breastfeeding is beneficial for the mother and baby, but state lawmakers do as ...
Colorado (21% Latino) began providing free long-lasting reversible contraceptives in 2009 for teens and low-income women. By 2013, rates in unplanned pregnancy and teen pregnancy plummeted. Economist Isabel Sawhill said, “If we want to reduce poverty, one of the simplest, fastest and cheapest things we could do would be to make sure that as few people as possible become parents before they actually want to.” Teen pregnancy is associated with childhood obesity because teen mothers are less likely to finish high school or go to college and more likely to be poor and have worse health outcomes. Additionally, kids born to teen mothers are less likely to go to college and more likely to be poor and have worse health outcomes. Teen parents are more likely to become obese ...
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) Obesity Prevention Toolkit focuses on three target behaviors: physical activity, breastfeeding and good nutrition. The toolkit provides evidence-based physical activity and nutrition strategies and interventions in the following settings: childcare, school, communities, helping families and social media/marketing. It also provides information for evaluating SNAP-Ed programs and practices. The toolkit was designed to help State SNAP-Ed administrative and implementing agencies identify evidence-based obesity prevention policy, systems and environmental change strategies and interventions to include in their SNAP-Ed plans. However, it is an excellent resource for community members and organizations interested in ...
It’s time for the second annual series of workshops dedicated to supporting and fostering healthy lifestyles and positive health outcomes through nutrition and physical activity. Growing Healthy Texas offers FREE 2-day training events in six different regions of Texas over the summer. Whether you are an educator, health professional, government leader or community organizer, if you are interested in supporting healthy lifestyles then you belong at these training events. Following is a list of courses offered under the three education tracks: education and innovation; success and sustainability; and communities in collaboration. Education and Innovation: Identifying Healthy Choices It's More Than an App: Technology Innovations that Educate and Promote Healthy ...
