increasing breastfeeding by raising emotionally healthy ... · raising emotionally healthy children...

Laurie Haessly, MA, RD, IBCLCPublic Health Program DirectorRiverside CountyDepartment of Public Health

Increasing Breastfeeding by Raising Emotionally

Healthy Children Gerald Newmark, PhDCo-Founder The Children’s Project

Kathleen Pickering, IBCLCPeer Counselor Projects Program CoordinatorRiverside CountyDepartment of Public Health

Riverside County Lactation Services

1. Track ONLY exclusive breastfeeding rates.2. Assess what is working and what is not.3. Make course corrections, as needed.

Exclusive Breastfeeding Initiation Exclusive Breastfeeding Duration

Healthy Mothers, Babies & Families

No Traditional Interventions Affected African-American

Breastfeeding Rates

Women Stop Breastfeeding Because of LIFE Issues

NOT Because of Breastfeeding Problems

We needed a social-emotional component for our

AA Peer Breastfeeding Mothers Groups

Meeting Dr. Newmark Spurred

Course Corrections

We Incorporated the Concepts from Dr. Newmark’s Book

‘How to Raise Emotionally Healthy Children – Meeting the Five Critical

Needs of Children……..And Parents, too!’

into the Mothers Groups

Curriculum.

Dr. Gerald Newmark

Overview of The 5 Critical

Emotional Needs of Children

Babies, Toddlers, Children, Teenagers, Parents and

Grandparents ALL Have the Same Emotional Needs

Meeting these needs in childhood provides the

foundation for life success!

5 Critical Needs Feeling Respected Feeling Important Feeling Accepted Feeling Included Feeling Secure

Our SuccessAfrican-American Women

Exclusive Breastfeeding Rates 2 Months 4 Months 6 Months

2005 13% 10% .5%2008 15% 12% 9%2011 27% 19% 15%

Sistah Connection Project

Breastfeeding Peer Counseling

Targets African-American Women

Focus on Peer ‘Mothers Groups’

Our Peer Group Model can be Replicated with other Groups

Teen, SE Asian, Hispanic, First Time or Working Moms

You CAN Replicate our Model with Great Success in Your WIC Agency

Replicable with ALL Mothers

Our Mothers Groups areThe Success

Groups are successful for 3 main reasons: 1. Awesome Peer Counselors2. Friendships are created3. Emotional needs are addressedPer Diane Wiessinger, MS, IBCLC Ithaca, NY:

Peer Groups create “mini-breastfeeding cultures” and Peer Groups are “the glue that holds breastfeeding mothers together”.

1. Our Peer Counselors are AWESOME

They do very important work They constantly figure

out ways to meet mothers’ needs and improve their project

They are dedicated and passionate They are all working towards becoming IBCLCs, 2

have achieved this goal Without them this program would not exist

Awesome Peer Counselors

Marni and Clarese nursing

Myles and Denise

Liza and CyanPatty, Beth, Liza, Laurie,

Sharna, Clarese, Ashley (l-r)

Sharna (l) in action and currently breastfed Devin (r)

Liza in Action

Cyan and Denise

in ActionAshley and Veronique

Peer CounselorsHelp Overcome Barriers

Are hired for their enthusiasm!! Are trained to specifically work with their peers

in group settings Have special insight into the needs and

challenges of their peer participants Build trusting relationships Are viewed as role models Are very knowledgeable of

local resources

Award Winning PC Team

2. Friendships are Created by Connecting New Mothers

Most women STOP breastfeeding when they perceive life problems as insurmountable.

Peer Counselors facilitate Peer Groups. Peer Groups offer safe place to discuss and resolve

life problems.

Comfortable place to make friends, be with the same moms each month and practice exclusivebreastfeeding

Peer Groups are used as incentive to exclusive breastfeeding

Role models are always present

Connecting New Mothers in Peer Groups

Norms and Safe Place

Groups MUST be ‘safe places’ for mothers to open up and share their inner most feelings.

We encourage mom’s to practice breastfeeding in public while in this group.

We respect each other and our differences.

What is said in this room stays in this room.

Connecting New Mothers in Peer Groups

Socialize & Build Friendships

5 Universal ‘Tasks’ Postpartum are explored 5 Critical Needs of Children and Families are

discussed 2 questions always asked:

– What was a challenge for you this month?– What made motherhood good for you this month?

Confidence is gained in new role as “mother”

3. Emotional Needs Addressed

5 Universal Emotional ‘Tasks’ Postpartum

Explored1 per Month

Pregnancy, Labor and Delivery Physical Restoration Attachment Work Assumption of the Caretaker Role Redefining Family Relationships

5 Critical Needs of Children and Families Explored

1 per Month

Feeling Respected Feeling Important Feeling Accepted Feeling Included Feeling Secure

Introduction of “How to Raise

Emotionally Healthy Children”

Parenting is not something you learn once and master for all time.

Different ages have different needs. Parents must learn to adjust their

interactions accordingly. Parents must be good learners, children are

the best teachers. LISTEN Concepts and techniques are easy to learn.

Feeling RespectedBook Reading:

Pages 7-8

Questions to Mothers:1. What does respect look like to you?2. What is the opposite of respect?3. How do our babies ‘talk’ to us?4. How can we show respect to our babies?

Practice What We Learn

Feeling Important Book Reading:

Page 13Question to Mothers:

1. How can we make our children feel important? Let babies explore in safe environment. Listen and interact with babies/children when

they ‘talk’ to you. Get down to their level. Give children choices. Let children help.


Feeling AcceptedBook Reading:

Page 18-19Question to Mothers:

1. How can we make our children feel accepted?• Allow and encourage children to talk about their feelings.• Acknowledge feelings – that’s how they feel. (Be a good listener)• Praise babies/children for things they do well or new things they try.• Catch babies/children doing things right.


Feeling IncludedBook Reading:Pages 23-24

Question to Mothers:1. How can we make our children feel included?

• Allow and encourage children to participate in chores. (Babies in slings can see all mom does)• Include children in decision-making process.• Talk to your baby as you go through your day’s activities.• Include your baby in family meal times. (Put baby

at table height NOT on ground)Practice What We Learn

Feeling SecureBook Reading:

Page 33Question to Mothers:

1. How can we make our children feel secure?• Show affection on a regular basis.• Begin and end every day with the same routine or

ritual.• Eat as many family meals together as possible.• Set reasonable limits that protect children from

harm.• All family members treat each other with 5 critical

needs in mind.Practice What We Learn

Dr. Newmark Sums it Up!!

Take-Away Messages Isolation, stress and overwhelming feelings can

cause women to stop breastfeeding. Utilize Peer Groups to overcome the isolation and

stress – to create circles of friends – to gain special insight of needs

and challenges– to address emotional needs– to build trusting relationships– to role model positive behavior– to build bridges with professionals– to help women find resources– TO RAISE EMOTIONALLY HEALTHY FAMILIES!

No man, woman or family can be an island. Life is mucheasier when we are part of a network of friends and family;when we are a part of a neighborhood. Sistah ConnectionProject is dedicated to bringing families together tohelp create emotionally healthy families and neighborhoods!

It takes a village to raise a breastfed child.

Making a Difference One Mom and Baby at a Time!

THANK YOU!!!For More Information…

www. www.emotionallyhealthychildren.orgor

Laurie Haessly, MA, RD, IBCLC951-358-5153

[email protected]

increasing breastfeeding by raising emotionally healthy ... · raising emotionally healthy children...

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