Left to right: Judy Fram, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and Afsa Golo, Breastfeeding Peer Counselor at the Baby Café staff with Jin Yao Li (CLC) Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC), author of this post.
World Breastfeeding Week was August 1st to 7th and August is
National Breastfeeding Month. For my summer internship between my first and
second year of medical school, I worked with Bronx Health REACH on their
breastfeeding initiative. As a Certified Lactation Counselor, I chose this
internship, because of my passion for improving women’s health and promoting
breastfeeding. I believe it is one way to address the high rates of diabetes
and obesity in the South Bronx.
Breastfeeding should be part of preventive care because
there is compelling research showing that breastfed children have lower rates
of chronic illnesses such as diabetes and obesity.1 From 2014 to
2016, the Bronx had 41.6% WIC infants that were breastfed in their first 6
months compared to overall New York City rate of 47.5%.2 According
to the World Health Organization, infants should be breastfed exclusively for their
first 6 months of life for optimal growth, development, and health.3
Hence, it is crucial that mothers get breastfeeding support in these early
critical months of their infant’s life.
One of my tasks was to assist at the NYC Baby Café Bronx
located at Morrisania –Gotham Health in the South Bronx every Thursday. My role
at the Baby Café was to set up a welcoming and comfortable environment for the
mothers. I was also involved in documenting their reasons for the visit.
I learned about the concept of a Baby Café during my
Certified Lactation Consultant training but I had never been to one. The Baby
Café associated with Morrisania WIC is a free, drop-in service that offers
breastfeeding support for pregnant and new parents in the community and
welcomes any family members or supporters. I also discovered that the Baby Café
provided a comforting environment for the mothers to share their experiences
while getting support from experienced staff who are International Board
Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC), healthcare professionals who provide
clinical management for breastfeeding through education and counseling. The
goal is to improve breastfeeding exclusivity as well as help mothers meet their
breastfeeding goals. I had the chance to learn about breastfeeding obstacles
and possible solutions as the staff shared their experiences as breastfeeding
counselors.
Breastfeeding can be a wonderful experience. It may also be
challenging for some moms, especially during the early weeks. Some moms have
situations which may require the assistance of a lactation professional. A mom
may lack confidence about whether her baby is getting enough or may be
experiencing pain or discomfort or she may have other issues that may be
resolved with the help of an IBCLC at the Baby Café.
Moms come to the Baby Café for a variety of reasons,
including concerns about the baby’s weight gain, returning to work or school,
and to have a safe space to talk about mothering with other moms.
One of the moms recently came to the Baby Café with concerns
about her baby’s weight. Her family members did not have confidence in
breastfeeding and encouraged her to supplement her baby with large amounts of
formula. After listening to her situation, one of the Lactation Counselors at
the Baby Café took the time to measure the baby’s weight accurately. “Your
baby’s weight is right on the 50th percentile. It’s perfect. You’re doing a
very good job,” said the Lactation Counselor. The mom was relieved. “This is
something I will show to my family [to show them] that I am doing the right
thing by breastfeeding only,” she said pointing to her baby’s weight on the
growth chart. The Lactation Counselor provided guidance on how the mom could
maintain her milk supply as she returns to work.
This mother stood by her decision despite the advice of
family and friends, which was very courageous of her. She was grateful for the
information and assistance provided by the Baby Café staff. But imagine a
mother who is hesitant about breastfeeding, and may have family members who are
discouraging her from doing it. Where would she go for support? It is very
important that mothers get the support they need, whether it be education about
breastfeeding or words of encouragement from others. We need to do a better job
of making sure mothers in the community know about these free resources.
During my internship, I gained an understanding of the
underlying causes of breastfeeding disparities, something I would have never
gotten from my classes. My experience working at the Baby Café will guide me
when I become a healthcare provider.
The NYC
Baby Café Bronx located at 1225 Gerard Avenue (on Gerard between 167th and
168th streets), Bronx NY, offers FREE breastfeeding support every Thursday from
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Siblings and partners are welcome to attend. Light
refreshments are served. For more information, contact Afsa Golo or Judy Fram
at (718) 960-2792.
1. American Academy of Pediatrics. Benefits of Breastfeeding.
2. New York State Department of Health. New York State Community Health Indicator Reports(CHIRS) - Percentage of WIC infants breastfeeding at least 6 months, 2014-2016.
3. World Health Organization. (2001). The World Health Organization's infant feeding recommendation.
No comments:
Post a Comment