Breastfeeding Self Study Packet 
                         And Reference Manual 
            
                            Health Professional 
                                             
                                             
                                             
                                             
                                             
                                             
                                             
                                             
                                             
                                             
                                             
                                             
                   Adapted from Breastfeeding Module and Resource Manual 
                    Developed by the Colorado Department of Public Health 
                       and Environment Nutrition Services/WIC Program 
                                             
                   And Loving Support Through Peer Counseling Curriculum 
                                             
                                       Revised 2008 
            
            
            
                                      
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           Introduction                                                                                                                                                                      Rev. 02 08 
           
                            Preface 
                             
                            As you will soon discover providing breastfeeding 
                            education and information can be one of the most 
                            rewarding parts of your job.  Through providing education, 
                            encouragement, and support, WIC staff empower women 
                            to make an informed infant feeding choice that will last a 
                            lifetime!!   
          
                            Participants do listen to what you are saying and value the 
                            information they receive from WIC.  Therefore, it is 
                            important that all WIC staff take the time to build their 
                            skills in providing breast-feeding education and support.  
                             
                            This breastfeeding self study packet will help you gain the 
                            knowledge necessary to educate WIC participants, their 
                            families, and friends on the many benefits of 
                            breastfeeding, as well as provide information to ensure a 
                            successful breastfeeding experience.  
          
                            This self study packet, was designed to be interactive, fun, 
                            and educational!  Learning activities include observation, 
                            video viewing, reading, completing a crossword puzzle, 
                                            . 
                            and many other fun activities
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        Introduction                                                                                                                                                                      Rev. 02 08 
                                                                                                                                How to Use This Self Study Packet 
                                      
                                                                                                                                Pace yourself—take time to complete all of the activities 
                                                                                                                                and to enjoy your learning process.  Make a schedule for 
                                                                                                                                yourself that is realistic.  The self study packet has seven 
                                                                                                                                sections with many activities.  Depending on your schedule 
                                                                                                                                you might set a goal to complete one or two sections a 
                                                                                                                                week.   
                                      
                                                                                                                                A number of resource materials which are referred to 
                                                                                                                                throughout the self study packet as "tools" are also needed 
                                                                                                                                to complete this self study packet.   At the beginning of 
                                                                                                                                each section you will find a list of tools needed for that 
                                                                                                                                specific section. The number and types of activities vary 
                                                                                                                                from section to section.  
                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                At the end of each section, you will find a listing of key 
                    My Goal is to complete this self study                                                                      points, additional activities, a quiz to test your knowledge, 
                    packet by                                                                 (date)                            and a list of optional readings.  You will also find a list of 
                            (estimated total time 9-12.5 hrs)                                                                   Breastfeeding handouts and videos that are available and 
                                                                                                                                that pertain to the topic covered in that section. 
                    Complete:                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                Note: The activities/quizzes (and answer keys) at the end 
                       Introduction by                                    ___________
                                                                                                                                of the sections that are to be printed off and completed 
                                                                                                                                are also located in the Breastfeeding Activities folder. For 
                                                                                                                                ease of use all the activities can be printed from this folder 
                                                                                                                                prior to beginning the module or by section. 
                                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                Located in WIC Electronic Manual/Staff Training/Self-
                                                                                                                                Study/Breastfeeding/Breastfeeding Activities. 
                                                                                                                                Also in shared drive/wic forms/Training 
                                                                                                                                Modules/Breastfeeding Self-Study/Breastfeeding Activities. 
                                      
                                      
                                                                                                                                   Tools needed to complete this self study 
                                                                                                                                   packet: 
                                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                   •         The Breastfeeding Answer Book by La Leche 
                                                                                                                                             League International 
                                                                                                                                   •         Breastfeeding Flipchart by Childbirth Graphics
                                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                   Optional Tools: 
                                                                                                                                   •         Dr. Mom’s Guide to Breastfeeding by 
                                                                                                                                             Marianne Neifert, MD 
                                                                                                                                   •         The Nursing Mother’s Companion by Kathleen 
                                                                                                                                             Huggins, RN, MS 
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                                       Introduction 
              
              
                                             Why Promote Breastfeeding? 
              
                                             Breastfeeding benefits a community!!  Breastfed infants 
                                             are healthier and moms who breastfeed lower their risk for 
                                             some diseases.  Breastfeeding saves health care costs 
                                             because breastfed babies have fewer illnesses and 
                                             hospitalizations.  Breastfeeding is good for the 
                                             environment because there are fewer cans, bottles, and 
                                             nipples to throw away.  Breastfeeding saves businesses 
                                             money because healthier babies mean less absenteeism for 
                                             working moms.  Breastfeeding is the GOLD Standard! 
              
             WIC's Breastfeeding History     The WIC Program has always been an avid promoter of 
                                             breastfeeding.   In 1989, the United States Congress 
                                             strengthened WIC's efforts by allocating funds specific to 
                                             breastfeeding promotion and support.  In addition to 
                                             funding, Congress included legislation requiring WIC 
                                             Programs to: 
                                                   •  develop a national breastfeeding definition 
                                                   •  designate a breastfeeding coordinator in each 
                                                      state agency 
                                                   •  train local WIC staff to promote and support 
                                                      breast feeding  
                                                   •  develop  standards to ensure all women have 
                                                      access to breastfeeding promotion and support 
                                                      during the prenatal and postpartum periods 
                                                   •  provide materials in languages other than 
                                                      English as indicated by the population served 
              
               WIC Makes a Difference        Since 1989, WIC Programs nationwide have implemented  
                                               
                                             numerous activities and programs to increase breast 
                                             feeding rates among the WIC population.   In fact, during 
                                             the last decade, breastfeeding rates have increased twice  
                                             as fast among WIC mothers compared to non-WIC 
                                             mothers.  
               
                                             In 2004, Congress as a part of the WIC Reauthorization 
                                                 Act, designated money for a WIC Breastfeeding Peer 
                                             Counselor Program to give states an opportunity to 
                                             enhance an existing Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program 
                                             or begin a new one.  South Dakota applied and was 
             Introduction                                                                                                                                                                      Rev. 02 08 
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