Part 4, Chapter 7: Manual Exhibit 4-7-D
The following organizations can provide additional information regarding breastfeeding. These organizations represent a few of the commonly-known resources and their inclusion is for information purposes only and does not imply an endorsement of their programs or products.
- International Lactation Consultant Association (ICLA)
This association is an international organization representing lactation consultants and other health care professionals in the realm of breastfeeding care. The ILCA website also features a directory for locating a lactation consultant to assist mothers, a Worksite Lactation Support Directory for employers and a directory to identify speakers to spread awareness about breastfeeding care and lactation. See the above ILCA website
- La Leche League International (LLLI)
This international organization is recognized as an authority on breastfeeding. The LLLI focuses on the importance of breastfeeding as it relates to the health and development of the baby. The organization also encourages health care professionals, mothers, parents, and community members to attend any of the frequent national and international events and seminars hosted by the organization, which are posted on the website. The toll free help line is also available, as well as professional and lay publications and mother-to-mother support groups in many communities. See the above LLLI website.
- National Center for Education in Maternal and Child Health (NCEMCH)
This organization is a national resource which provides information and educational sources as well as technical assistance to organizations, agencies, and individuals with maternal and child health interests. The organization emphasizes the importance of program development, education, and knowledge as being crucial for improving the development and health of children and families. See the above NCEMCH website
- National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition (HMHB)
The HMHB is a renowned leader in maternal and child health, with over 100 national, professional, voluntary, and government organizations that share a common interest in growing healthy families at the core of its collaborative efforts. The HMHB provides an innovative forum for the partnership of public and private organizations, employers, policymakers, and consumers to promote and improve culturally and linguistically appropriate, community-based services that foster healthy mothers, healthy babies, and healthy families. See the above HMHB website.
- National Business Group on Health (NBGH)
The NBGH is working to improve health care financing and delivery. In the realm of breastfeeding and lactation, this organization strives to improve maternal and child health status, benefits, policies, and programs with web-based resources for employers and a model health benefit plan that includes lactation support services. See the National Business Group on the above NBGH Website.
- U.S. Department of Agriculture Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC)
The WIC program promotes breastfeeding as being important for the healthy development of the baby, as well as the health of the mother. The program caters specifically to pregnant women who are struggling financially, women who are breastfeeding, and children under the age of five. The program distributes vouchers and also entails mandatory nutrition education, so as to promote healthy early childhood development. See the above WIC website
- American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
The American Academy of Pediatrics provides important information and initiatives about breastfeeding for parents, professionals, and breastfeeding advocates. The website features information about the use of breast milk, the benefits of breastfeeding, and the correlation between childhood obesity and breastfeeding. Its Breastfeeding Residency Curriculum is utilized by employers and pediatricians attempting to develop an effective program in their workplaces. Additional family, community, professional, and external resources are available on the Breastfeeding section of the above AAP website.
- National Women's Health Information Center
The National Women's Health Information Center provides information and resources on how to improve the health and overall well-being of women and girls, which includes the advocacy and promotion of the benefits of breastfeeding. The National Breastfeeding Helpline is available on the above website for information on breastfeeding and lactation, and the various partnerships with other major organizations allows for the sharing of a greater wealth of information and community knowledge. One focus of these partnerships has been to understand and alleviate the disparities in the realm of breastfeeding related to race and ethnicity.
