STEP 6: Community chest/breastfeeding support groups and lactation services are fully available, including peer-to-peer lactation support providers, International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs), and other skilled chest/breastfeeding support.
Ten Steps to a Breastfeeding Family Friendly Community
Breastfeeding, chestfeeding, and human milk feeding support must extend beyond the clinic. Therefore, there must be active community support for referral and independent action by lactating families to find the support they need. Once these are established, all clinics and hospitals should be called upon to provide active referral. Active collaboration between health care providers and community lactation support entities is needed to support this Step.
Measure:
- Confirmation that such services are active or being created that would serve the community, with attention to meeting the needs of various racial/ethnic groups.
- At least one in-person or virtual meeting has been held and at least one communication to the public on this mutual effort are documented annually.
Suggested Approaches:
- Designating Group may facilitate first meeting.
- Designating Group reviews action for adherence.