Friends:  Our county WIC office is writing a breastfeeding policy.  This
is the first rough draft; I welcome any thoughts, suggestions, and
reactions you may have in order that I might improve it.  There are a
couple places I expect will create some discussion, and I look forward
to thinking it through with all of you.  Arly Helm, MS, IBCLC

Breastfeeding Promotion Policy
Nevada County WIC Program


Nevada County WIC:

        promotes breastfeeding as the norm for infant feeding, by using
breastfeeding-positive language and images in place of "formula-norm" or
"feeding method-neutral" messages in:
        verbal interactions with clients
        classes
        fliers, handouts, posters, and other written client education
        office decorations
        verbal and written staff education and communications
        magazines, literature, books, games, or toys provided for the
WIC family's use in the clinic
        non-food items used as inducements and rewards for participation
in WIC or for promotion of WIC activities
        inservices for other health professionals and county staff
        advertising and public relations messages
        recommends exclusive breastfeeding as
        the most appropriate nutrition for infants and sufficient to
support optimal growth and development for approximately the first six
months of life, except in rare cases of medical contraindication
        recommends continued breastfeeding
        for at least the first year of life, and thereafter, for as long
as mutually desired
        recommends gradual introduction of iron-enriched and iron-rich
solid foods in the second half of the first year, complementing the
breastmilk diet, and
        including a variety of other appropriate table foods, carefully
introduced
according to current best practices in infant nutrition
        recommends breastfeeding, with supplementation as necessary, as
an
appropriate and healthy feeding method for adoptive mothers and their
infants/young children
        encourages breastfeeding in any area of the clinic that a
client, employee, or contractor is otherwise appropriately occupying,
including waiting rooms, classrooms, offices, general work areas,
lunchrooms, conference rooms, etc., with the exception of bathrooms
        does not suggest or imply that toilet stalls are an appropriate
venue for
breastfeeding or expressing breastmilk
        provides culturally appropriate, learner-centered breastfeeding
education to ensure participants are fully enabled to make an informed
infant feeding
decision
        has a designated breastfeeding coordinator who is responsible
for developing,
implementing, and evaluating breastfeeding promotion and support
activities
        reviews this policy with all new WIC staff, volunteers, and
contract employees at
orientation, and at least once a year
        reviews this policy with persons representing the Nevada County
WIC program's
interests in any issues involving infant and young child feeding
        ensures that all staff are trained to support this policy
        supports its own employees and contractors in breastfeeding

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