About Breastfeeding Task Force of Greater LA

Download BTFGLA brochure here (PDF) | Download Mission Statement here (PDF)

MISSION STATEMENT

The Breastfeeding Task Force of Greater Los Angeles is dedicated to improving the health and well being of infants and families through education, outreach, and advocacy to promote and support breastfeeding.

GOALS

• Facilitate the acceptance of breastfeeding as the societal norm for infant feeding.

• Create a supportive public environment for breastfeeding and the use of human milk.

• Capacitate the healthcare system to effectively support exclusive* breastfeeding and the provision of human milk to human babies.

• Establish the Breastfeeding Task Force of Greater Los Angeles as a trusted source of breastfeeding information and resources.
  
  * The American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months, followed by continued breastfeeding with the addition of complementary foods.

Objectives:

• Facilitate the acceptance of breastfeeding as the societal norm for infant feeding.

• Create a supportive public environment for breastfeeding and the use of human milk.

  • Conduct outreach and facilitate networking to broaden the base of active breastfeeding support.

  • Increase the incidence of positive breastfeeding messages in the media.

  • Work together towards systemic change by educating public officials, institutions and the community about policies and practices that promote, protect and support breastfeeding.

  • Educate both employers and employees about the benefits of supporting breastfeeding in the workplace, and how to create a breastfeeding-friendly work environment.
     

• Capacitate the healthcare system to effectively support exclusive* breastfeeding and the provision of human milk to human babies.

  • Advance a breastfeeding-friendly model of health care delivery to effectively support exclusive breastfeeding and the provision of human milk to human babies.

  • Promote breastfeeding awareness and education for healthcare providers and administrators.

  • Highlight the cost-effectiveness of breastfeeding as a way to manage health care costs.
     

• Establish the Breastfeeding Task Force of Greater Los Angeles as a trusted source of breastfeeding information and resources.

  • Provide comprehensive web-based information and resources for lactation and other healthcare professionals and consumers.

  • Produce, maintain, and distribute a free print and web-based publication listing breastfeeding resources and information in Greater Los Angeles.

  • Provide educational programs tailored for professional, paraprofessional and lay audiences.

  • Foster the development of local expertise as well as facilitate learning opportunities from nationally renowned breastfeeding experts.

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History

The Task Force was formed in 1994 by a group of dedicated volunteers who wanted to make a difference in the breastfeeding rates in Los Angeles County.

• In July 1994, Task Force members published an article on breastfeeding in the Los Angeles County Medical Association magazine (The Real Thing, LACMA Physician, July 11, 1994).

• In August 1994, Fact Sheets about breastfeeding and the risks of infant formula were researched and published and decals stating "Breastfeeding Welcome Here" were printed and distributed to local businesses.

• In August 1995, the Task Force hosted a World Walk for Breastfeeding in Griffith Park. This event was a collaboration of public health agencies, WIC programs, mother to mother support groups, and breastfeeding advocates from the entire county. Guest speakers included actress Lynn Redgrave, attorney Gloria Allred, California Assembly Representatives Antonio Villaraigosa and Sheila Khuel, and Dr. Paul Fleiss.

• In 1996, the Task Force published posters with an endorsement by Olympic Volleyball Gold Medalist, Kent Steffes, proclaiming "Breastfeeding - As Good As Gold." A Breastfeeding Resource Directory is published annually by the Task Force and print demand has increased from 10,000 in 1996 to 50,000 in 2003.

• Task Force Lactation Professional Education Seminars have trained 2500 participants since 1998. The Breastfeeding Task Force website was launched in 1998 currently averages 30,000 hits and 6,000 visitors per month.

• The Task Force incorporated as a not-for-profit 501(c)3 corporation in September of 2001. The Breastfeeding Works Pilot was developed in 2002 to assist employers in supporting their breastfeeding employees.

• The Task Force conducted Strategic Planning and joined the National Breastfeeding Awareness Campaign in 2002.

• Task Force was selected to be one of 18 Community Demonstration Projects by the National Breastfeeding Media Campaign of the Office of Women's Health, Health and Human Services.

• The Task Force has also been awarded grants from First Five and The California Endowment to further the mission of making breastfeeding the norm in Los Angeles.

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The activities of the Breastfeeding Task Force are funded, in part, by grants from the Office on Women’s Health, DHHS, First 5 LA and the California Endowment.