Each year, the Breastfeeding Coalition of Washington (BCW) engages in projects to promote, protect, and support breastfeeding. At the state and regional level, the Program Coordinator, the Executive Committee, and the Steering Committees select and complete projects that correspond to the Department of Health Statement of Work.
At the community level, Local Coalitions pursue projects reflecting their own local priorities. Projects often involve collaborative efforts with other agencies and organizations. Samples of both Statewide and Local projects are listed below.
Statewide Projects
Bus Sign
Through a joint project with WithinReach (formerly Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies), the BCW, Public Health Seattle-King County and the South King County Breastfeeding Coalition, 236 interior bus signs like the one pictured were on display in King County Metro Busses.
This campaign was launched on May 30, 2000 and signs were on display through August 2000, World Breastfeeding Month. The project was repeated in 2002 and in 2003, 390 signs (in English and Spanish) were place in Metro busses traveling through areas with the lowest breastfeeding rates.
Callers are connected to Information and Referral Specialists who can answer basic questions about breastfeeding, give referrals and send callers a copy of the free "Working & Breastfeeding: It's Worth It!" packet.
Television Public Service Announcement
Created in 1999, this 60 second PSA aired across Washington State during the month of August, 1999 and 2000 in honor of World Breastfeeding month. The PSA was created in conjunction with the BCW and KOMO TV 4. The spot features Karina, an employee of Public Health Seattle-King County, her partner Luis and their children Marisol and Juan Antonio. Karina has returned to work and continued to breastfeed with both her children.
Radio Public Service Announcement
In 2000 the BCW worked with Best Start Social Marketing (800) 277-4975, www.beststartinc.org to create three 60 second radio spots. These PSA's provide expanded information about the need for support. Two are in English, one is in Spanish. These were aired across Washington during World Breastfeeding Month.
Local Breastfeeding Projects
Resource Cards and Guides
Many local coalitions develop resource cards or guides with local breastfeeding support information and referrals. These are often distributed through local clinics, hospitals, physician offices, community centers etc. The cards vary in size and format. Some coalitions seek outside funding via advertising to pay for the paper and printing. Some guides contain breastfeeding advice while others list only referral phone numbers for La Leche League, lactation consultants, breastfeeding centers and other health related services.
Breastfeeding-Friendly Discharge Bags
These bags are created as a substitute for bags provided by drug companies that are filled with formula samples, coupons for formula, artificial nipples and pens and notepads advertising formula. Typically, a set number of bags (200-400) are made and are distributed at a specific hospital(s) during a designated time. Usually outside funding is sought to help pay for the bags. Each coalition includes different items in their bags.
Contents have included: a water bottle with a breastfeeding promotion message, breast pads, Lansinoh nipple cream, a magnetic frame promoting breastfeeding, written information encouraging breastfeeding, a resource list of breastfeeding support, a hand-held breastpump, WithinReach information and referral number, a flyer for the Working & Breastfeeding packet, a cloth diaper, Motherwear's Essential Breastfeeding Guide, Medela's Breastfeeding Guide, a Luna Bar, "Ten Things Dads Can Do" educational pamphlet, a baby bib imprinted with, "Together We Breastfeed, Healthy Mommy and Me," a toothbrush for mom, tooth tenders for baby, and an evaluation. Diaper bags have been purchased through Samsonite Juvenile, a local company who provides a bulk discount on their bags in support of breastfeeding.
Conferences and Trainings
Several local coalitions have addressed the educational needs of their community by organizing local conferences. Some coalitions do this as an annual event, others bi-annually and others as a one-time event. Depending on the speakers and content, this can be a significant fundraiser for a local coalition. To entice physicians, some groups organize a more intimate breakfast session with the speaker before the regular conference. To increase attendance, continuing education credits (CEU's) are usually offered.
Billboard
To increase awareness and promote breastfeeding, the Whatcom County Lactation Task Force designed a billboard located in downtown Bellingham. The billboard has a picture of a mother breastfeeding an older child and states "Breastfeeding: Recommended for at least one year. The Healthy Choice for Moms and Babies." There is also a phone number to call to receive additional information. Advertisers listed at the bottom of the billboard helped pay for the display.
Model Breastfeeding Standards for King County Hospitals
In 1996, The Seattle-King County Breastfeeding Coalition (SKCBFC) determined through a survey that there were wide discrepancies in breastfeeding practices in 15 King County Hospitals. The majority of these hospitals indicated an interest in knowing more about the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative. As a result, The Hospital Breastfeeding Partnership Task Force, a subcommittee of the Seattle- King County Breastfeeding Coalition created "Model Breastfeeding Standards for
King County Hospitals".
Most Beautiful Breastfed Baby Contest
The Grays Harbor County Coalition holds this contest each year at the local mall. A business in the mall takes the babies' photographs which are part of a display indicating the "Most Beautiful Breastfed Baby Contest." People vote via a ballot. The only requirement is that the baby must have breastfed one time. The coalition solicits donations from mall merchants and the winners and runners-up receive prizes. This provides a very public and fun way to promote breastfeeding.
Book Donations
Some coalitions have bought books with positive portrayals of breastfeeding and donated them to their local libraries. Some library systems have programs for bookplates to be made and placed on the inside cover stating who donated the book.
Medications and Mothers Milk By Thomas Hale, MD has been donated by local coalitions to their area physicians along with the coalitions' Breastfeeding Resource Cards and other items promoting breastfeeding such as the "Working & Breastfeeding: It's Worth it!" packet. This allows the local coalition to make contact with area physicians and to inform the physicians about the coalition and its activities.
Breastfeeding Corners
Local coalitions set up spaces at fairs and other outdoor events, allowing a comfortable place for moms to breastfeed, get something to drink and eat, put their feet up and relax. Some coalitions have also created similar space in local stores and clinics.