Healthcare

Healthcare providers and maternity care facilities (i.e. hospitals) play a critical role in protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding. In order to establish and maintain breastfeeding, women need education and support from a knowledgeable health care community.

The The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding Action Guides highlight specific steps that physicians, nurses and healthcare leaders can take to support breastfeeding:

Louisiana Breastfeeding Coalition

The Gift is Louisiana’s evidence-based breastfeeding quality initiative and designation program. The Gift provides Louisiana hospitals with quality improvement coaching and a comprehensive system of tools and training to assist them in implementing a bundle of evidence-based practices called the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding. The Gift supports the pursuit of and maintenance of Baby-Friendly designation.

Click here for a list of hospitals that have achieved Gift and Baby-Friendly Designation!

Download this Infographic on strategies the Bureau of Family Health is using to increase breastfeeding rates and reduce breastfeeding disparities in Louisiana.