On Tuesday, August 15, we joined over 40 organizations in sending a letter to the co-founders of the Fed Is Best Foundation to request a meeting to discuss their position on infant feeding and exclusive breastfeeding. Since then, many more national, state, and local organizations have signed on, bringing the number up to 85 total signing organizations. You can read the letter and see the full list of organizations here: http://www.usbreastfeeding.org/d/do/2018

While Fed Is Best did send a response, their message does not make mention of the joint request for an honest and constructive dialogue. You can read their response letter here: http://www.usbreastfeeding.org/d/do/2077

This response is disappointing, as it would be much preferred to engage in a discussion with the goal of improving the health and well-being of our nation’s families. As stated in the joint letter, “we believe that we can be most effective in serving moms and babies when we attack the root causes of a problem, rather than each other.” To that end, the offer to meet with the co-founders of Fed Is Best remains open.

 

On 8/20/17, The New Jersey Breastfeeding Coalition became a “new signer”, adding to 40+ organizations mentioned in the 8/17/17 US Breastfeed Committee (USBC) letter below.

____________________________________________________________________________

Dear colleagues,

On Tuesday, over 40 organizations sent an open letter requesting a meeting with the co-founders of the Fed Is Best Foundation. As you may be aware, Fed Is Best has engaged in a public campaign that draws links between the recommended practice of exclusive breastfeeding—as well as its education and promotion by health care providers—and the tragic deaths and injuries of babies.

While the breastfeeding field disagrees on the root cause(s) of these tragedies, it is in everyone’s best interest to engage in honest and constructive dialogue. Therefore the open letter invites the co-founders of Fed Is Best to discuss their positions in a meeting and try to find common ground.

We are sharing this information to keep the USBC network up to date on the approach being taken to foster dialogue with this group. As informal “steward” of this collaborative action, 1,000 Days sent the letter on Tuesday, August 15, and is now planning for multiple scenarios, since it is unknown how they will respond. In addition to the tremendous contributions of 1,000 Days, Baby-Friendly USA also has played a leadership role in guiding strategy and sharing the services of a communications consultant. Throughout the process, the USBC has served as a neutral convener for this activity, providing “backbone infrastructure supports” for the work of the ad hoc group of organizations that planned and is now implementing this action. (Note that in the role of neutral convener, the USBC supports bringing parties together to take joint action, but doesn’t participate directly in the action itself.)

Note: As of today, the sign on form has been reopened indefinitely, to accommodate organizations that wish to sign on as the word spreads further. New signers will be added to the letter every Wednesday, and shown in subsequent versions of the PDF file uploaded to the public link below.

Public Link to Letter: http://www.usbreastfeeding.org/d/do/2018

At this time, there is not a petition or action for individuals, but this is under consideration. Please stay tuned for additional updates as the Fed Is Best response becomes clear.

 

United States Breastfeeding Committee (USBC)
4044 N Lincoln Ave, # 288
Chicago, IL  60618
Phone: 773/359-1549
Fax: 773/313-3498
office@usbreastfeeding.org
www.usbreastfeeding.org

 

 

Hackensack Meridian Health –Hackensack University Medical Center RECOGNIZED FOR SUPPORTING BREASTFEEDING MOTHERS AT WORK

Press Release PDF Copy

Hackensack, NJ, May 18, 2017 – In an effort to commend, celebrate and increase the number of NJ worksites that support breastfeeding employees, the New Jersey Breastfeeding Coalition (NJBC) has selected Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC), as a “NJ Breastfeeding Friendly Worksite”.  The award was presented at the hospital.

HUMC was recognized for important breastfeeding supportive practices including providing the availability of reasonable breaks to express milk or to nurse their child and access to a private space for expressing milk or nursing their child.   Studies show that simple worksite support practices increase the duration of breastfeeding among employed mothers.  Research also shows that breastfed babies have fewer illnesses contributing to less employee absenteeism.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all babies be exclusively breastfed for the first six months with breastfeeding to continue, with the introduction of solid foods, at least until the baby is 12 months old.  Abundant research has revealed short term and lifelong health benefits of breastfeeding for mother and child.  However, many mothers cite return to work as a reason for early discontinuation of breastfeeding.

“I am extremely grateful to HUMC,” said Joan Jennings, a Patient Care Associate at HUMC.  “My initial thought about breastfeeding when I was pregnant was to “just try it out.” When my son was born “trying” turned into 3 months, which progressed to 6 months and so on. When I came back to work I was worried that my milk supply would stop.  But, I was supported and able to pump every 3-4 hours while doing my 12 hours shifts. I feel that it created an amazing bond between the two of us”.
“Breastfeeding is a truly a selfless and unmeasurable gift”, said Elizabeth Bigos, Nurse Manager of Postpartum/Well Baby-Nursery.  “I am delighted to be a part of an organization that is dedicated and committed to supporting women in their decision to breastfeed throughout all stages of their pregnancy and postpartum period. Providing a safe, clean space for our employees to pump and continue their breastfeeding journey is our boundless privilege.”

The NJBC encourages all employers to learn about and become a breastfeeding-friendly worksite and then to complete the simple self-assessment at http://breastfeedingnj.org/breastfeeding-friendly-worksite-recognition-program/ .

The New Jersey Breastfeeding Coalition is a collaboration of health professionals and community representatives whose mission is to improve the health of New Jersey families by working collaboratively to promote, protect and support breastfeeding.   For more information about the New Jersey Breastfeeding Coalition, visit www.breastfeedingnj.org.

HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH – JERSEY SHORE UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER  RECOGNIZED FOR SUPPORTING BREASTFEEDING MOTHERS AT WORK

Copy of PRESS RELEASE

Neptune, NJ, May 16, 2017 – In an effort to commend, celebrate and increase the number of NJ worksites that support breastfeeding employees, the New Jersey Breastfeeding Coalition (NJBC) has selected Hackensack Meridian Health-Jersey Shore University Medical Center (JSUMC), as a “NJ Breastfeeding Friendly Worksite”.  The award was presented at the Neptune, NJ hospital.

This is the 1^st hospital in NJ to be recognized by the NJBC for breastfeeding supportive practices including providing the availability of reasonable breaks to express milk or to nurse their child and access to a private space for expressing milk or nursing their child.   Studies show that simple worksite support practices increase the duration of breastfeeding among employed mothers.  Research also shows that breastfed babies have fewer illnesses contributing to less employee absenteeism.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all babies be exclusively breastfed for the first six months with breastfeeding to continue, with the introduction of solid foods, at least until the baby is 12 months old.  Abundant research has revealed short term and lifelong health benefits of breastfeeding for mother and child.  However, many mothers cite return to work as a reason for early discontinuation of breastfeeding.

“I’m extremely grateful,” said Kellyn Riedemann, an Outcomes Analyst at JSUMC. “It was important to me to be able to keep up a full supply of breastmilk for my 1 year old son.  In addition, I met other breastfeeding moms in our private room and was able to provide support to new breastfeeding moms as they were just returning to work.”

Joyce (McKeever) Thompson, Clinical Program Manager at JSUMC said, “It is very gratifying to provide our team members with a clean, private place to pump their milk for their babies’ right at the worksite. This allows team members to feel comfortable returning to work in a supportive environment that encourages breastfeeding as the best nutrition for babies.  We’ve provided this support since 1992.”

The NJBC encourages all NJ employers to learn more about becoming a breastfeeding-friendly worksite and then to complete the simple self-assessment at http://breastfeedingnj.org/breastfeeding-friendly-worksite-recognition-program/ .

The New Jersey Breastfeeding Coalition is a collaboration of health professionals and community representatives whose mission is to improve the health of New Jersey families by working collaboratively to promote, protect and support breastfeeding.   For more information about the NJBC, visit www.breastfeedingnj.org.

For Immediate Release

Contact:  Kathleen O’Keefe at 732-241-7429

CHILD CARE RESOURCES OF MONMOUTH COUNTY RECOGNIZED FOR SUPPORTING BREASTFEEDING MOTHERS AT WORK

Neptune, NJ, March 10, 2017 – In an effort to commend, celebrate and increase the number of NJ worksites that support breastfeeding employees, the New Jersey Breastfeeding Coalition (NJBC) has selected Child Care Resources (CCR) of Monmouth County as a

“Breastfeeding Friendly Worksite”.   A certificate of recognition was presented today at CCR headquarters in Neptune, NJ.

CCR was recognized for multiple breastfeeding supportive practices including providing the availability of reasonable breaks to express milk or to nurse their child and access to a private space for expressing milk or nursing their child.   Studies show that simple worksite support practices increase the duration of breastfeeding among employed mothers.  Research also shows that breastfed babies have fewer illnesses contributing to less employee absenteeism.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all babies be exclusively breastfed for the first six months with breastfeeding to continue, with the introduction of solid foods, at least until the baby is 12 months old.  Abundant research has revealed short term and lifelong health benefits of breastfeeding for mother and child.  However, many mothers cite return to work as a reason for early discontinuation of breastfeeding.
“I am grateful to CCR”, said Kim Telesca, a CCR employee. “I was always allowed the time to nurse (when my son was with me) or pump (when he was not). I was also able to do so in a clean and comfortable environment.  It was important to me to breastfeed (or pump) at work because I wanted to preserve the breastfeeding relationship I had with my son.  I wanted to provide him with the nourishment of breast milk but I also wanted to keep our breastfeeding bond intact in his first months of life.”

“At Child Care Resources we understand the benefits of breastfeeding”, said Kim Perrelli, Executive Director. “As an employer, making accommodations to support our employees who want to continue to breastfeed makes perfect sense.  These simple strategies provide so many benefits that give their babies a healthy start, with an impact that can last a lifetime.  I couldn’t imagine doing otherwise!”

The NJBC encourages all NJ employers to learn about and become a “Breastfeeding-Friendly Worksite” and then to complete a simple self-assessment at: http://breastfeedingnj.org/breastfeeding-friendly-worksite-recognition-program/ .

The New Jersey Breastfeeding Coalition is a collaboration of health professionals and community representatives whose mission is to improve the health of New Jersey families by working collaboratively to promote, protect and support breastfeeding.   For more information about the NJBC, visit www.breastfeedingnj.org.

For a copy of this press release please visit this link, NJBC Press Release_CCR