for Professionals

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There is a broad professional consensus that breastfeeding is of the utmost importance to human health. The South Carolina Breastfeeding Coalition helps healthcare professionals support their patients. We offer quarterly educational programs as well as the chance to meet other passionate breastfeeding advocates and join the effort to move South Carolina toward becoming a more breastfeeding friendly state.

 

Disaster Resources

South Carolina is prone to disasters. Aiding families to maintain lactation becomes even more crucial as increase risk of infection increases due to crowded conditions and lack of sanitation. Click the link to become familiar with resources for professionals and the families for which they care.

Opportunity Awaits

 
 
 

The Sharon Spriggs award was originally called the Gold Ribbon Award, and is now given each year in her honor. See here for details

 

FOCUSED LACTATION GROUPS 

South Carolina Breastfeeding Coalition wants to increase support for special interest groups (cultural, religious, milk donation, professional subspecialties, non-traditional breastfeeding groups/families…). Fill out the below form to apply for the use of our Google Meet virtual forum, announce your group on the Website, social media, and at meetings, and have meetings listed on our Event calendar.. Find more information and apply here.

 

Locate Lactation Professionals or List your Professional SErvices

 
 
 
 

Find Breastfeeding Friendly People and Places

Community support is vital for helping our breastfeeding families meet their goals. Learn here about what support looks like, where it is available, and apply to be listed as a breastfeeding-friendly community partner.

 
 

Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations’ Children’s’ Fund (UNICEF) developed a global initiative to increase breastfeeding in hospitals called` the Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative. It includes ten steps that must be achieved in order to become certified as “Baby-friendly”.  Baby-friendly USA is the “accrediting body and national authority” for the Baby-friendly Initiative in the United States. https://www.babyfriendlyusa.org/about/. Hospital Facilities can find information about the process here: https://www.babyfriendlyusa.org/for-facilities/

Technical Help for becoming Baby Friendly

 
 

Training and Education Opportunities for Providers

Opportunities for training and education in breastfeeding and lactation have exploded. The number of continuing education providers continue to increase along with textbooks, conferences and podcasts. In addition:

  • SCBC hosts quarterly meetings and conferences every other year which cover topics in lactation. IBCLC CERPS available for our educational offerings at quarterly meetings. In addition, Nursing CEUs are awarded at our biennial conference.

  • The American Academy of Pediatrics has a list of breastfeeding training opportunities for physicians. https://www.aap.org/en-us/advocacy-and-policy/aap-health-initiatives/Breastfeeding/Pages/Breastfeeding-Educational-Resources.aspx

  • The single most important resource to help providers manage breastfeeding dyads with evidence-based information is to be familiar with and reference the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine’s Protocols (https://www.bfmed.org/protocols). Links to additional organization-specific guidelines are also available below (link).

  • Lactation Professional organizations offer journals, conferences and webinars: International Lacation Consultant Association www.ILCA.org and United States Lactation Consultant Association www.USLCA.org