Thanks to the diligence of a Wichita State instructor, Wichita has received the Community Supporting Breastfeeding (CSB) designation from the Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition Inc. (KBC). Jolynn Dowling, instructor for the School of Nursing, along with members of the Wichita Area Breastfeeding Coalition (WABC), initiated the designation and were involved through the entire process. 

The announcement was made official during the Wichita City Council meeting on May 10 with a proclamation by Mayor Jeff Longwell and the award presentation by Brenda Bandy, program director for the KBC. 

The CSB designation recognizes communities that have built a culture of breastfeeding support across several sectors: businesses, employers, hospitals, child care providers and peer support groups. This is an important accomplishment, as Wichita is one of 10 communities and the largest city in Kansas to achieve the title. 

Dowling, who is also chairwoman of the WABC and chair-elect of the KBC, says there were many people and organizations that helped make the designation possible, including the Kansas Academy of Family Physicians worksite lactation program, project coordinator Cara Gerhardt and WSU nursing students. 

Wichita achieved the CSB designation by meeting the following criteria:

• One hospital designated as a Baby-Friendly USA Hospital. Wesley Medical Center is the first hospital in the state of Kansas to earn the title.
• 10 businesses received the Breastfeeding Employee Support Award through Kansas Business Case for Breastfeeding.
• 29 businesses pledged to participate in the Breastfeeding Welcome Here program.
• 173 child care providers are breastfeeding friendly through completion of the How to Support the Breastfeeding Mother and Family course.
• A local breastfeeding coalition – WABC.
• Local peer support groups. 

The designation stemmed from research showing that while 78 percent of women begin breastfeeding at birth, the number falls to 11 percent when the infant reaches 6 months. One of the primary reasons mothers report discontinuing breastfeeding is lack of support in the workplace and in public. 

Dowling says the goal is to increase long-term breastfeeding rates from 6 months to 1 year. 

“We hope that through this initiative, the Wichita community will encourage practices that support breastfeeding families.” said Dowling. 

Importance of breastfeeding 

Scientific studies show breastfeeding has many benefits and is one of the most effective preventive health measures for babies and mothers. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of an infant’s life. 

“There is more and more evidence that breast milk and the breastfeeding experience cannot be replicated.”
– Jolynn Dowling 

According to the KBC, adequate support for breastfeeding benefits the community through healthier citizens, a stronger economy and healthier environment through savings in health care expenses, increased family connection and reduced post-consumer waste from formula tins. It is estimated Kansas could save $120 million in health care costs and prevent an excess of eight deaths per year if 90 percent of Kansas families breastfed exclusively for six months. 

“There is more and more evidence that breast milk and the breastfeeding experience cannot be replicated,” said Dowling. “Breastfeeding assists with bonding through skin-to-skin contact, infant development and provides multiple other benefits for the baby and mother.” 

Dowling says the importance of breastfeeding support needs to go beyond the hospital. Achieving a high level of support throughout the community is vital to improving the health of Kansas families. 

Breastfeeding Welcome Here program 

WSU nursing students assisted the coalition with the project and met their N450 Care of Populations course objective to facilitate health promotion strategies in the community setting. The students recruited local businesses to talk about the importance of being supportive to breastfeeding mothers and take a pledge to become part of the “Breastfeeding Welcome Here” program. By taking the pledge, businesses agree to provide a welcoming environment for breastfeeding mothers and to display a Breastfeeding Welcome Here window decal. Employers were also encouraged to apply for the Breastfeeding Employee Support Award. 

A list of participating Wichita businesses can be found here. 

Business Case for Breastfeeding program 

The Business Case for Breastfeeding is a national initiative through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and is a comprehensive program designed to educate employers about the value of supporting breastfeeding employees in the workplace. 

WSU South and the WSU Community Engagement Institute have facilities to accommodate mothers and have received the Gold Level Business Case for Breastfeeding Employer Support Awards. 

There are three rooms on the WSU main campus with accommodations for mothers. The rooms are located in Ahlberg, Brennan and Linquist halls. 

“We are working hard to become a mother supported campus,” said Dowling. 

The Breastfeeding Welcome Here and Business Case for Breastfeeding programs are administered through the KBC, which supports local coalition efforts. 

Dowling says Wichita leaders are beginning to see positive changes throughout the city that will foster breastfeeding success within the community. 

“There are many businesses and groups in Wichita that understand the importance of promoting and protecting breastfeeding families,” said Dowling. “It’s not about one of us, it’s about all of us.”