A Supportive Space for Lactation in Itasca County
June 18, 2024
In the fall of 2023, a collaborative effort began to transform the lactation space at the Itasca Resource Center in Grand Rapids. The initiative began when the Breastfeeding Peer Support group approached Jayme Gabler, Health Educator and State Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP) Coordinator. Together, they began to explore what was possible to make a more inviting, comfortable, and supportive space for lactating parents.
The primary goal was to make this space available to WIC participants (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children). There are 22 families currently enrolled in the WIC Breastfeeding Peer Support Program, and this room will allow the Peer Support Counselor to be regularly available to meet with those families in a welcoming space.
Ideally, Gabler says, the space will be available to anyone in who comes into the Resource Center. That includes Health and Human Services staff who need to breastfeed or express milk, as well as families who use the childcare center located in the same building.
Itasca County Public Health's commitment to supporting lactation is evidenced by their eligibility for the WIC Breastfeeding Award of Excellence through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). They have completed the Gold Award application and are working on submitting the application for the Premiere Award, which requires an increase in the number of WIC enrolled infants who are exclusively breastfed to at least 15%, or a steady rate of 25% or more.
The room is now nearing completion, with fresh paint on the walls and new furniture that’s comfortable, stylish and easy to clean. There’s art ready to be hung with affirmations and encouragement, as well as educational pieces on the benefits of lactation.
Those benefits include meeting the full nutritional needs of infants; protecting babies against some short- and long-term illnesses; sharing antibodies to help develop a strong immune system; and even reducing the lactating parent’s risk of breast and ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure. In addition, when supportive spaces are available for breastfeeding and lactation, it can help parents feel belonging and social connection in their community.