When we started our Mississippi Breastfeeding Coalition about 4 years ago, it began as a luncheon hosted by WIC to educate community health professionals in Jackson about the Loving Support campaign soon to begin.  We called all of the hopsitals and asked if they would send a representative, and invited physicians, and other community leaders and breastfeeding advocates (including La Leche League) we were aware of.  We had such a marvelous turnout and such enthusiasm that the group asked to continue meeting.  

Within just a couple of months it was clear a coalition was evolving.   This group is now very active, and includes area hospitals, community health clinics, AAP, public health, WIC, lactation consultants, La Leche League leaders, the University of MS Medical Center Breastfeeding Consult Service, breast pump companies, worksite representatives (including Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi), and child care centers.  

Some keys to our success:  

1)  Meeting regularly...we set 2nd Thursdays during the noon hour for our meeting time.  We never cancel...the minute you succumb to rescheduling your group dies.  We meet during the noon hour because it's easy for everyone to take their lunch break from work.  

2)  Varying hosts...each month is hosted by a different organization.  Everyone LOVES this.  For attendees, it is an opportunity to visit different facilities around the communtiy and see what they are doing to promote breastfeeding, and keeps strong our sense of community-wide collaboration.  For the host group, it is an opportunity to show off what they are doing, and to reinforce with their own staff how important breastfeeding is.  It also builds ownership among staff within that organization.  We have noticed that when a member group is hosting, many people from their organization who might not normally attend these meetings show up and contribute.  Host groups do not always provide lunch...often we bring a "brown bag" and the host group simply provides soft drinks and cookies.  This keeps it simple and affordable for everyone.  

3)  Joint projects...we have engaged in a number of community-wide projects that help everyone to take ownership and see their role. Examples: a community-wide discharge resource flyer that lists all of the metropolitan Jackson member groups where mothers can get breastfeeding help once they get home from the hospital (each hospital has a master of this flyer and duplicates it to give to their breastfeeding moms); a statewide breastfeeding-friendly site project (paid for by a grant) where we recognize worksites, child care centers, clinics, and churches that meet criteria for breastfeeding-friendly facilities; breastfeeding education programs provided by members for "lunch and learn" sessions at local clinics, child care centers, worksites, etc.

4)  Communication...we have worked hard to keep the lines of communication open between members so that everyone (even the ones who don't attend regularly) know what's happening.  We have a website, and we post minutes.  We send reminder notices each month to all members by e-mail or fax.  Last month we began publishing a newsletter. 

5)  Opportunities for learning and networking...including making time to allow people to share case studies and new breastfeeding projects within member groups, as well as guest speakers within the group who share topics of interest.  One month people shared the "warm and fuzzy" stories that make our jobs so worthwhile.  People say over and over that the coalition meetings are the highlight of their entire month.    

Hope this information helps!

Cathy Carothers, BLA, IBCLC

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