The Lotus Alliance is a prison doula project in Columbia, South Carolina. The project’s co-directors, Kaylin Smith and Sadie Whitehead, work in coalition with other doulas, medical students, and doctors to provide support in the Camille Graham Correctional Institution throughout pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. Sadie and Kaylin were instrumental in pushing forward an anti-shackling bill […]
Category: Breastfeeding
Information About the Infant Formula Supply Shortage
Communities nationwide are experiencing infant formula shortages after a large recall in February. This shortage has left many parents and caregivers concerned about how they will feed their babies. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has created a tip sheet for caregivers struggling to find formula for infants or medically fragile children. Key information from […]
Resource: 4th Trimester Project
The 4th Trimester Project is an amazing resource for new moms. This resource aims to be inclusive of all bodies and mothers, including transgender and non-binary people. It incorporates information on many postpartum topics, such as self-care after birth, how to build a support network, caring for your child, and videos experiences from other mothers. […]
Student Spotlight Series: How Did Hannah McNamee Further her Interests in Reproductive Health and Family Support in the Dominican Republic?
This piece is part of a five part series of Student Spotlights highlighting the applied practice experience of four students in the Dominican Republic during the Summer of 2018. The other four parts of the series include an interview by Elizabeth Stanczyk and experience reflections from Shelby Panttaja, Elizabeth Stanczyk, and Keelin Roche. #UMNMCH student Hannah McNamee […]
Resource: Children’s Healthy Weight Collaborative Improvement & Innovation Network
The Children’s Healthy Weight Collaborative Improvement & Innovation Network (CoIIN), is designed to support Title V programs to promote nutrition, physical activity and breastfeeding through collaborative learning and quality improvement practices. In recent years, the CoIIN concept has gained traction. For the state public health nutritionists (PHNs) participating in ASPHN’s Children’s Healthy Weight CoIIN, it is a […]
Student Spotlight: How Did Kristen Wanta’s RAship Prepare Her for the Real-life Experiences of a Career in Public Health?
A Center for MCH Interview with MCH Student Kristen Wanta Center Research Assistant, Elizabeth Stanczyk, had the opportunity to interview former colleague Kristen Wanta on her experiences as a student and Research Assistant in the University of Minnesota’s (UMN) Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Program, in which she had the opportunity to present her work at […]
Resource: System Changer’s Guide to Breastfeeding and the Workplace
Within the workforce, women are vital contributors to a company’s success, providing keen perspective and driving economic vitality. When companies support breastfeeding, businesses gain a three-to-one return on investment in addition to greater employee retention, lower absenteeism, and a more creative and productive work environment. The Michigan Breastfeeding Network has created multiple campaigns and toolkits […]
Resource: Learning Module–Building on Campaigns with Conversations
The National Center for Education in Maternal and Child Health (NCEMCH) has developed a series of learning modules designed for professionals who interact with families on topics of safe sleep and breastfeeding to supporting caregivers to help overcome barriers to safe sleep and breastfeeding. It is part of a greater trend in public health promotion—utilizing […]
Resource: 10-Step Guidance for Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding all babies for the first 2 years would save the lives of more than 820,000 children under the age of 5 annually! Breastfeeding also has multiple benefits for the mothers. The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF have issued a 10-step guidance to increase support for breastfeeding in health facilities that provide maternity and […]
Resource: Gender Policy Report on Breastfeeding
Shortly after giving birth, many employed women return to the workplace while still in the process of breastfeeding. The Surgeon General and National Institutes of Health have called for a more supportive work environment that arranges accommodations for mothers returning after leave. The Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, provides a section that […]
Student Spotlight: How did Emily Laurent get the Opportunity to Present Her Research at the Annual Making Lifelong Connections Meeting?
A Center for MCH Interview with MCH Student Emily Laurent Center Research Assistant, Kristen Wanta, had an opportunity to interview Emily Laurent about some of her interests and efforts, some of which provided Emily with an opportunity to present her work to a national audience of her peers. Read the interview below. Q: Hi Emily! […]
Checklist: Breastfeeding-Friendly Workplaces
Are you working in a breastfeeding-friendly work environment? Are you providing one for your employees? The Minnesota Department of Health recognizes workplaces that have demonstrated their commitment to supporting breastfeeding mothers by creating a workplace lactation support program and resources. 1. Use the self-assessment checklist (PDF) to review the criteria for Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace recognition […]