Creating a More Baby-Friendly District of Columbia

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Submission Date: June 2018

State/Territory Submitted on the Behalf of: Washington, D.C.

States/Territories Involved: Washington, D.C.

Funding Source: CDC

CDC Funding:

Yes

CDC Funding (Specified):

(1305) State Public Health

Domain Addressed:

Health Systems Strategies

Public Health Issue:

  • In Washington, D.C., rates of breastfeeding are much lower for African-American women than for non-Hispanic white women.
  • Research shows that women have better breastfeeding outcomes when they give birth at facilities designated as Baby-FriendlyĀ®.
  • Reducing breastfeeding disparities in D.C. means reaching hospitals serving communities that have low breastfeeding rates with the help they need to achieve the Baby-Friendly designation.

Program Action:

  • In 2013, the DC Breastfeeding Coalition (DCBFC) launched the Creating a Baby-Friendly District of Columbia Initiative to reduce breastfeeding disparities in Washington, D.C., by training hospital staff in breastfeeding best practices.
  • Three facilities that serve many minority residents were selected through a competitive process to receive funding and technical assistance to follow the Baby-Friendly USA pathway to designation. Baby-Friendly USA administers the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative launched by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund to recognize birthing centers that offer mother/baby bonding and excellent care for infant feeding.
  • The DCBFC trained staff from these facilities in maternity best practices and provided technical assistance to implement the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding.

Impact/Accomplishments:

-This initiative reached 6,408 mother-baby pairs.

  • All three participating hospitals trained staff to implement the clinical lactation skills required for a Baby-Friendly designation. One facility trained 100%, one trained 88%, and the third trained 32% of registered nurses and advanced practice nurses, respectively. Each facility designated staff to undergo a train-the-trainer curriculum facilitated by Lactation Education Resources, a provider of learning opportunities in lactation and breastfeeding skills.
  • All three facilities entered the Baby-Friendly USA pathway and with additional funding from the D.C. Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the DCBFC helped two of the facilities achieve Baby-Friendly USA designation (one no longer provides maternity services).
  • Since 2014, the DCBFC leveraged more funding and is working to ensure that all babies born in D.C. are delivered in a Baby-Friendly designated facility by 2025.

Program Areas:

Healthy Communities (general), Social Determinants of Health, Other

State Contact Information:

DC
Sahira Long, MD

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