Breastfeeding Information for Health Care Providers
"Physicians are the cornerstone of successful breastfeeding. It is the physician who confirms the value of breastfeeding for both the mother and the infant. But it is the physician who can destroy it, when the correct information and support is not provided by the physician to the mother." | |
Dr. Ruth Lawrence, Author, Breastfeeding: A Guide for the Medical Profession | |
Director, Breastfeeding and Human Lactation Study Center University of Rochester Medical Center |
Health Care Providers greatly impact a mother's decision to breastfeed. This is a pivotal period for mothers, and your role is vital in helping mothers realize the benefits of breastfeeding, both for their babies and for themselves. Your support is essential in getting breastfeeding off to a good start.
WIC Program Partners with Health Care Providers for Breastfeeding Success
As part of WIC's breastfeeding promotion and support program, WIC staff across the state are partnering with their participants' health care providers to support breastfeeding. This partnership is essential to ensuring a successful breastfeeding experience for mother and baby.
NYS WIC has developed the Health Care Provider Toolkit: Partnering with WIC for Breastfeeding Success for you and your staff. The materials include:
- A Dear Colleague Letter from Dr. Guthrie Birkhead, Deputy Commissioner of NYS Department of Health
- Creating a Breastfeeding-Friendly Practice (PDF, 769KB, 2pg.)
- Encouraging Breastfeeding Before Birth (PDF, 383KB, 2pg.)
- Supporting Breastfeeding After Birth (PDF, 53KB, 1pg.)
- Resources for Mothers (PDF, 56KB, 1pg.)
- Breastfeeding Pocket Guide for Health Care Providers
- New York State Laws Protect Mother's Right to Breastfeed
- A Partnering with WIC for Breastfeed Success Poster (PDF, 321KB, 1pg.)
- Talk to Us About Breastfeeding Poster (PDF, 243KB, 1pg.)
Additional Resources:
- DOH Breastfeeding Promotion Program
- The Ten Steps To Successful Breastfeeding - Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative in the U.S.
- Breastfeeding Mothers' Bill of Rights - New York State Department of Health
- Breastfeeding Initiatives - American Academy of Pediatrics
- Breastfeeding Guide - The CDC Guide to Breastfeeding Interventions
- The United States Breastfeeding Committee
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Health's Health Care Provider Breastfeeding Action Kit
- The US Surgeon General's Breastfeeding Call to Action