In 2012, the Indiana Black Breastfeeding Coalition (IBBC) used grant funds to increase participation in the Bosom Buddy Project, an original breastfeeding support group that pairs breastfeeding mothers with trained mentors. Resources for local organizations that support breastfeeding are extremely limited, making it difficult to expand programs and services. This article describes a variety of strategies used by the IBBC to expand programs and services. These activities provide a template for other community-based organizations that wish to provide culturally sensitive breastfeeding support in their community.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Progress in increasing breastfeeding and reducing racial/ethnic differences—United States, 2000-2008 births. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2013;62(5):77-80.
WareJLWebbLLevyM. Barriers to breastfeeding in the African American population of Shelby County, Tennessee. Breastfeed Med. 2014;9(8):385-392.
6.
MacGregorEHughesM. Breastfeeding experiences of mothers from disadvantaged groups: a review. Community Pract. 2010;83(7):30-33.
7.
DunnRLKalichKAHenningMJFedrizziR. Engaging field-based professionals in a qualitative assessment of barriers and positive contributors to breastfeeding using the social ecological model. Matern Child Health J. 2015;19:6-16.
8.
MartinKOstermanL. Community Breastfeeding Support Initiative Evaluation Report. Indianapolis, IN: TS. Community Solutions; 2013.
9.
ChapmanDJPerez-EscamillaR. Breastfeeding among minority women: moving from risk factors to interventions. Adv Nutr. 2012;3(1):95-104.
10.
ReederJAJoyceTSibleyKArnoldDAltindagO. Telephone peer counseling of breastfeeding among WIC participants: a randomized controlled trial. Pediatrics. 2014;134(3):e700-e709.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Racial and ethnic differences in breastfeeding initiation and duration by state—National Immunization Survey 2004-2008. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2010;59(11):327-334.
