Hello, I am a Health Communication PhD Candidate and I am looking to identify breastfeeding friendly municipalities. ***Do you know of any cities that go above and beyond? If so, which ones and why?*** Here are some criteria we have been discussing: Not a First Food Desert - access to culturally competent lactation care providers, - access to support groups, - at least 41% of employers have breastfeeding support policies, - at least 31% of child care facilities, lactation rooms are available at public locations (including museums, airports, zoos, etc) - Baby-Friendly certified hospital within 34 minute commute, - at least 61% of all pediatricians offer a lactation care referral, - more than 50% of community members say they are comfortable seeing mothers breastfeed in public) Museums, Zoos, and Libraries host breastfeeding friendly exhibits/displays Sporting facilities/stadiums have lactation spaces and leverage their promotional power to endorse breastfeeding advocacy programs Jails/detention centers and courts have lactation policies in place that allow female offenders to use an electric pump while separated from their child, have skin-to-skin breastfeeding sessions during visitation, and consider lactation status during sentencing and whenever possible to couple the mother/baby dyad together. Murals and city promotional materials depict breastfeeding as a normal activity Local media outlets run at least 3 stories per year about breastfeeding and coverage is informed, commentary is free of anti-breastfeeding or pro milk substitute jokes and punchlines, and representations of breastfeeding are not blurred out, hidden or avoided. Local businesses have pro-breastfeeding employee leave policies (ie sick leave, paid family leave, etc) ***Any other things you have seen or have thought about that help to make a city feel especially breastfeeding friendly?*** Thanks, Lissa Knudsen, MPH, PhD Candidate University of New Mexico 505-218-5115 *********************************************** Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html To reach list owners: [log in to unmask] Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask] COMMANDS: 1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail 2. To start it again: set lactnet mail 3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet 4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome