Debi,
I've just been dying to share this information, but I was looking for
the perfect lead-in, and you just gave me one.

The Texas Department of Health is very pleased to welcome its new
Commissioner of Health, Dr. Reyn Archer, who is a strong breastfeeding
advocate.  Dr. Archer came to TDH just in time to sign the Texas
Position Statement on Infant Feeding.

This position statement was written collaboratively with many state
organizations.  It has been endorsed by Texas Department of Health,
Texas Medical Association, Texas Pediatric Society, Texas Nurses
Association, Texas Dietetic Association, several major HMO's and health
insurance companies, La Leche League of Texas and La Leche League
International, and all the ILCA affiliates in the state.  It is now in
the print shop and will be ready for distribution in June.  We will have
the entire document on our web page, but for now you can see the
Executive Summary at:

http://www.tdh.state.tx.us/lactate/EXECSUMM.htm

The 4 strategies for improving breastfeeding are:

1. Actively incorporate lactation support, education and when necessary,
pasteurized donor human milk into the health-care
frame work of medical benefits and preventive care.

2. Implement the WHO/UNICEF Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative's 10 Steps
in all Texas hospitals and birthing centers.

3. Endorse and comply with the WHO International Code of Marketing
Breastmilk Substitutes.

4. Encourage Texas employers to become "Mother-Friendly" worksites so
employed mothers are supported to continue to
provide complete nutrition and immunologic protection to their child.

Dr. Archer has decided to make breastfeeding his major health initiative
for the state of Texas.  We have been working with community leaders
(like Cathy Liles and Kathy Dettwyler, among many others) to identify
the activities that will give us the most impact as quickly as
possible.

I will be responsible for the promotion of Baby Friendly Hospital
Initiative and Donor Milk Banking, which is very exciting.  We will also
do what we can to comply with the WHO Code.

Obviously, this is coming together very quickly and very well because we
already have a strong statewide Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies
Coalition.  Our collaboration with many different groups has been
established for years.

I'll be happy to answer further questions as I am able.

--
Jeanne Mitchell
Austin, TX
"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle."
Plato