National Breastfeeding Week Celebrated By Local Moms

Submitted by Jane Francis:

NEW HAVEN, CT —Each August, World and National Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7) is held in conjunction with Breastfeeding Month to promote breastfeeding as the premier source of nutrition for a baby’s first year of life.

USDA’s WIC Program serves about half of all babies born in the United States and a USDA study* found that more than 95 percent of mothers who started breastfeeding reported that WIC played a role in their decision to breastfeed. Nearly 60 percent of caregivers also turned to WIC for information on feeding their infant, second only to their doctor or other health professional. Breastfeeding peer counselors working in WIC clinics perform the vital role of helping new mothers breastfeed.

“Since its beginning in 1974, the WIC Program has earned the reputation of being one of the most successful federally-funded nutrition programs in the nation,” said Kurt Messner, Regional Administrator for the USDA Food and Nutrition programs throughout New England, New York and the U.S. Virgin Islands. “This week, we recognize local WIC staff providing exemplary breastfeeding services.”

Mother of three Danielle Blakney started her career as a breastfeeding peer counselor 2 years ago at the New Haven WIC Program at Yale New Haven Hospital.

“I was recruited for the position at a time when I was a participant in the WIC Program,” said Blakney. “I had moved from the Bronx, NY to CT and my 8-month-old had stopped latching so I needed help with pumping because I didn’t want to introduce formula. That’s when I met the Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Program Lactation Consultant at WIC. Before this I’d never heard of a peer counselor or lactation consultant in all my years of breastfeeding. I was so inspired, in 2019 I became a Certified Lactation Counselor.”

As part of the WIC team, “peer counselors are not that removed from the situation participants face and can relate to moms,” said Blakney. “I meet with moms prenatally and do follow up after they deliver. I provide education prenatally. I want to hear from mom to build a relationship with her. I want to know what she knows and is hearing about breastfeeding. What is her breastfeeding goal? Knowing her prior experience is important to me as is knowing any challenges she has faced. I dig deep from all angles and once she delivers, I am her cheerleader. I give mom support and encouragement, as needed. Sometimes I help with positioning, ensuring latching is effective and give tips on using a breast pump.”

At times Blakney says there can be some initial hesitation from moms in setting up an appointment with her however, “once I do talk with them, they love me,” said Blakney. “I’ve left messages for moms and when they call me back they tell me that they knew I was from New York or that I am African American, just from my accent. Often participants say they called me back because they know I can relate to them.”

WIC breastfeeding peer counselors understand the difficulties and provide realistic and practical guidance as a result of shared personal backgrounds and experience in ways that other health professionals cannot. Whether a mom is just learning about breastfeeding, beginning to breastfeed, or experiencing challenges, a peer counselor serves as a trusted coach to help moms meet their breastfeeding goals.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends infants receive only breast milk for about the first six months of life, and that they continue to be breastfed until at least 12 months, with the introduction of nutrient-rich foods starting at about six months of age. AAP recommends moms continue to breastfeed as long as mutually desired by mother and child. Benefits of breastfeeding are many. It lowers a baby's risk of certain infections and diseases, including asthma, ear infections, Type 2 diabetes, and childhood leukemia and lessens the risk of SIDS. Breastfeeding can help moms recover more quickly from childbirth and reduce moms’ risk for certain breast and ovarian cancers. Breastfeeding may also help moms lose weight after childbirth.

Blakney says she tries to meet moms where they are and provides certificates to her moms for breastfeeding even if they managed to do it for just a week, or a month or if they supplemented with formula. “That first breastmilk-colostrum- is filled with antibodies to help protect their baby,” said Blakney. “I want moms to have a feeling of accomplishment and feel empowered. They did something no one else could do for their babies.”

“I am here for moms whatever they choose to do,” continued Blakney. “I recently worked with a mom who hadn’t breastfed her first child and really wanted to breastfeed her newborn exclusively. Right after delivery she breastfed, but as she was tired in the hospital, they offered and gave her baby formula. When she came home she continued to supplement with formula at night. She wasn’t having any issues with breastfeeding so I asked if she was open to pumping and giving the baby a bottle of breast milk at night. She ended up not pumping at all and just latching the baby. It’s been two months and she’s exclusively breastfeeding. She told me that she is super grateful for our relationship and appreciative that I did not force her to stop the formula, but instead brought her back to what her goal was prenatally. She is loving the breastfeeding experience and feels so close to her baby.”

While Blakney typically connects with moms in-person at the clinic or hospital, the pandemic has shifted services to a remote delivery and telehealth model, connecting through phone calls, texts and video calls.

“I do phone and video calls,” said Blakney. “I have a doll that I use to demonstrate with and do video calls so I can share my screen. I also show videos on latching, or expressing milk or bottle feeding. I can talk them through and explain different points they see in the video. My moms like seeing the visuals. Before we started working from home, I would take pictures of handouts we typically give out and I’d text these or send them via email to my moms.”

Blakney is one of four peer counselors serving participants enrolled in the New Haven WIC Programs, who typically works with at least 60 moms each month. According to CT WIC June 2020 data, for moms on WIC for any length of time during pregnancy the statewide average breastfeeding initiation rate is 81.8% and the average duration rate is 65.0% at 6 months. “I make a point of calling moms the day after delivery to make sure they are getting the lactation help they need and make sure they get their questions answered before they leave the hospital,” said Blakney.

“We’ve started doing Saturday follow ups as well. It’s been helpful to do a FaceTime call to check in and I can use my props to show them exactly how to position the baby,” said Blakney
“From the beginning of her time as a Peer Counselor, Danielle has been a welcomed addition to the New Haven peer counseling team,” said Marjorie Chambers, MS, RD, Director, CT WIC Program. “It’s obvious her lived experience and passion for working with others allows her to make lasting connections with the moms she serves. Her relationships translate into improved health outcomes and real empowerment for the women in her caseload. It is great to see through the peer connections moms are overcoming any challenges they face. Danielle's dedication and perseverance in helping WIC moms achieve their breastfeeding goals is unparalleled.”

Blakney’s favorite thing about peer counseling is, “the relationships I build with my moms and seeing the impact that breastfeeding can make in their lives. Yes, I provide the education but they are the ones that have to want it for themselves and their babies. I want them to bring it back to themselves and see they overcame these obstacles; they are the ones who are successfully breastfeeding.”

“While never intended to be an emergency food program, WIC has been just as critical to families during the COVID-19 outbreak as SNAP, school and summer meals and the food distribution programs,” said Messner.

With the passage of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, WIC received an increase in funding for the program as well as increased ability to provide states with the flexibilities they need to support mothers, infants and children that rely on WIC. Working with the states and local agencies, WIC was transformed. WIC appointments moved to a telehealth model and nutrition and peer counseling services moved to a remote delivery model to protect the safety of WIC staff and participants. In CT, WIC reached out to participants via calls, text messages, WICshopper app, and social media sites, such as local clinic WIC Facebook pages.

“WIC has proven that a program that fostered in-person connections can continue to operate and serve families by pivoting its service model in the midst of a pandemic,” said Messner. “In fact we’re looking at what may be possible for the future of WIC by leveraging innovative ideas, data-driven strategies, and new technology to improve the customer service provided to program participants. I commend the breastfeeding peer counselors. They play an important role in helping WIC moms and babies thrive.”

The New Haven WIC Program at Yale New Haven Hospital received the WIC Loving Support Award of Excellence for exemplary breastfeeding support and practices from USDA in 2017.

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, commonly known as WIC, provides federal grants to states for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant and postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk. USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs including WIC, which together comprise America's nutrition safety net. For more information go to www.fns.usda.gov.