Maine State Breastfeeding Coalition Meeting Minutes

March 13, 2008

Local Coalition - After introductions, we discussed the local Portland specialty group.  Portland area hospital and private practice Lactation Consultants met as a Breastfeeding work group to discuss making the care in the area more collaborative and consistant, sharing common goals and issues. Their name and goal:
Lactation Consultants Collaborative of Portland, Maine
Working toward a common goal of obtaining greater resources, recognition and reward,
by sharing knowledge, learning and building consensus.

Veronica addressed making the State Breastfeeding Coalition more visible.

News – Stem cells have been found in breast milk.  They have been found to have key markers that guide development into adulthood. Research will be done to use stem cells in treatment of diseases such as Parkinson’s and cerebral palsy.

Gail Sirois report – In an email from Gail Sirois, she stated that she is unable to attend the state meetings because of budget constraints.  She and others at the meeting suggested that we look into video conferencing or teleconferencing the meetings.  Places were discussed such as Augusta or University of Maine Orono.

USBC (United States Breastfeeding Coalition) Review – Veronica shared information and samples of handouts that she collected when she, Connie and Hannah attended the conference in January.  Resources were discussed – www.breastfeedingpartners.org for posters and handouts for WIC moms.  A CD from www.breastfeedingmadesimple.com about depression and breastfeeding by Kathleen Tackett was also discussed.
Examples of cards from other state coalitions were passed around. These cards can be handed to a mom who is breastfeeding in public or for a mom who has been hassled by someone while she was breastfeeding in public.  There are also decals for businesses who are supportive of breastfeeding. Some examples of cards are:
            “A mom who breastfeeds does what no one else can do for her baby’s future.”
            “For help or information about breastfeeding, call toll free….”

            “I breastfed before it was cool.”  (www.4women.gov) (www.aap.org)

            “Know your rights – It’s the law” (Oklahoma BF law) – (Front of card)            (www.health.ok.gov/program/breastfeeding)
            “Have you visited a business that was breastfeeding friendly?  (Back of card)
                        Let us know and they will receive a thank you letter.”
            “Have you been asked to leave a public place because you were breastfeeding?
                        Tell us and we will send a letter with information about the new laws.”

            Example of a decal sign for retail businesses and restaurants –             www.breastfeedingnewmexico.org

The USBC has requested the identification of a representative from ME AAP.  Veronica will look into an appropriate doctor for this. Presently Dr. Jacl Mann is listed, but has not been active

The USBC holds teleconference calls– Maine: time and location - on the 2nd Tuesday of even months at 2PM in Augusta. (next APRIL 8, 2008 2PM Key Bank building Augusta call Hannah to rsvp)

The next USBC national conference will probably be in 2010.
The CDC has reported that 17% of Maine babies are born at Baby Friendly Hospitals. (Best rate in the US) As of March 13, 2008, there are four Baby Friendly Hospitals in Maine. 
            Miles Memorial Hospital, CMMC, MaineGeneral, and York Hospital. Rumford             Hospital has sent the Letter of Intent and EMMC is sending the letter very soon.

We discussed a book by James J. McKenna, Ph.D. University of Notre Dame, 2007 entitled, Sleeping with your baby – a parent’s guide to cosleeping – whether you do it occasionally or every night, do it safely.

Kate Yerxa from UMAINE Cooperative Extension in Nutrition, brought in 5 breastfeeding publications for us to review.  Kate and Leslie Forstadt will create new infant feeding pamphlets if needed.  She may use the state flip chart.  She will check with Veronica Sweeney about this.  Upcoming conference:  May 14 – Cooperative Extension – Nutrition, Food and Physical Activity Symposium – UMaine Orono, DP Corbett Hall. Karen Gallagher and Bangor WIC will have a poster presentation.

As promised web sites below access breastfeeding leaflet handout information in foreign lan In English, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, French, Gujarati, Hindi, Mirpuri, Portuguese, Punjabi, Somali, Spanish, Tamil, Turkish, Urdu, Vietnamese and Welsh (from UK unicef BoH)
http://www.babyfriendly.org.uk/page.asp?page=95

2)Older version: In English, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, Farsi, French, Guharati, Kurdish, Punjabi, Somali, Turkish, Urdu (UK unicef)

http:// www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_4084370

3) Many general sources. Multiple breastfeeding listings, scroll to Foreign Resources and Languages
http://www.geocities.com/breastfeedinglinks/#Foreign%20Resources%20&%20Languages

4) http://www.healthinfotranslations.com/japanese.php

Three upcoming conferences of interest –
            May 9 – ME State Breastfeeding Coalition Conference - MELCA/WIC             cosponsored by EMMC at Lucerne Inn, Dedham.  Catherine Watson Genna and             Lisa Marasco, speakers.

            June 2 – Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, NH – Tom Hale, PhD.
            June 6 – Westchester Marriott, Tarrytown, New York – Peter Hartmann, PhD.

Next Maine State Breastfeeding Coalition Meeting – April 8, 2008, 11:30-1:30PM.  MaineGeneral in Augusta.  The USBC teleconference will be at the state building in Augusta following the ME meeting at 2PM – 3:30PM.

Attendees: Veronica Sweeney, Hannah James, Nancy McNally, Ramona Edwards, Pam Houston, Diana Ledger, Gail Martel, Bettina Pearson, Laura Honeycutt, Kate Yerxa, Aimee Gerbi.

Respectfully submitted,

Pam Houston
Edited by Veronica Sweeney 4/1/2008