I have been given the opportunity to speak to Child Welfare staff about ways to support breastfeeding under the very stressful situations they work.

Yes, I am aware there are some terrible Child Welfare people that everyone fears because they remove babies from the home.  On the other hand, I myself have had to report the dangerous situations observed and have been grateful for their intervention.  

I only have 30 minutes.

I was wondering if any of you have given/prepared this sort of presentation, so I don't start from scratch...or if you have recommendations or suggestions besides the ones I have thought of:
1. The risk of not breastfeeding - to baby, to mother and to their relationship
2. The value of breast milk feeding when breastfeeding is not possible
3. Sources of accurate information to provide to mothers suspected of drug use and how to communicate this to them
4. Community resources of pumps, breastfeeding information and support.

I'm not expecting to convert them to breastfeeding proponents - but if they can see that helping mother continue to breastfeed may help in their goals - safety for the child and family preservation, maintenance and reunification - we may be able to work with them to avoid unnecessary permanent cessation of breastfeeding.

Thanks - the talk is on Tuesday!

Jeanette Panchula, BSW, RN, PHN, IBCLC
California, USA

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