Increasing Breastfeeding by Raising Emotionally Healthy Children

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Increasing Breastfeeding by Raising Emotionally Healthy Children Gerald Newmark, PhD Co-Founder The Children s Project Laurie Haessly, MA, RD, IBCLC Public Health

1 Increasing Breastfeeding by Raising Emotionally Healthy Children Gerald Newmark, PhD Co-Founder The Children s Project Laurie Haessly, MA, RD, IBCLC Public Health Program Director Riverside County Department of Public Health Kathleen Pickering, IBCLC Peer Counselor Projects Program Coordinator Riverside County Department of Public Health

2 Riverside County Lactation Services Exclusive Breastfeeding Initiation Exclusive Breastfeeding Duration Healthy Mothers, Babies & Families 1. Track ONLY exclusive breastfeeding rates. 2. Assess what is working and what is not. 3. Make course corrections, as needed.

3 No Traditional Interventions Affected African-American Breastfeeding Rates

4 Women Stop Breastfeeding Because of LIFE Issues NOT Because of Breastfeeding Problems We needed a social-emotional component for our AA Peer Breastfeeding Mothers Groups

5 Meeting Dr. Newmark Spurred Course Corrections

6 We Incorporated the Concepts from Dr. Newmark s Book How to Raise Emotionally Healthy Children Meeting the Five Critical Needs of Children.. And Parents, too! into the Mothers Groups Curriculum.

7 Overview of The 5 Critical Emotional Needs of Children Dr. Gerald Newmark

8 Babies, Toddlers, Children, Teenagers, Parents and Grandparents ALL Have the Same Emotional Needs Meeting these needs in childhood provides the foundation for life success!

9 5 Critical Needs Feeling Respected Feeling Important Feeling Accepted Feeling Included Feeling Secure

10 Our Success African-American Women Exclusive Breastfeeding Rates 2 Months 4 Months 6 Months % 10%.5% % 12% 9% % 19% 15%

11 Sistah Connection Project Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Targets African-American Women Focus on Peer Mothers Groups

12 Replicable with ALL Mothers Our Peer Group Model can be Replicated with other Groups Teen, SE Asian, Hispanic, First Time or Working Moms You CAN Replicate our Model with Great Success in Your WIC Agency

13 Our Mothers Groups are The Success Groups are successful for 3 main reasons: 1. Awesome Peer Counselors 2. Friendships are created 3. Emotional needs are addressed Per Diane Wiessinger, MS, IBCLC Ithaca, NY: Peer Groups create mini-breastfeeding cultures and Peer Groups are the glue that holds breastfeeding mothers together.

project They are dedicated and passionate They are all working towards

14 1. Our Peer Counselors are AWESOME They do very important work They constantly figure out ways to meet mothers needs and improve their project They are dedicated and passionate They are all working towards becoming IBCLCs, 2 have achieved this goal Without them this program would not exist

15 Awesome Peer Counselors Marni and Clarese nursing Myles and Denise Patty, Beth, Liza, Laurie, Sharna, Clarese, Ashley (l-r) Liza and Cyan Liza in Action Sharna (l) in action and currently breastfed Devin (r) Ashley and Veronique Cyan and Denise in Action

16 Peer Counselors Help Overcome Barriers Are hired for their enthusiasm!! Are trained to specifically work with their peers in group settings Have special insight into the needs and challenges of their peer participants Build trusting relationships Are viewed as role models Are very knowledgeable of local resources

17 Award Winning PC Team

18 2. Friendships are Created by Connecting New Mothers Most women STOP breastfeeding when they perceive life problems as insurmountable. Peer Counselors facilitate Peer Groups. Peer Groups offer safe place to discuss and resolve life problems.

19 Connecting New Mothers in Peer Groups Comfortable place to make friends, be with the same moms each month and practice exclusive breastfeeding Peer Groups are used as incentive to exclusive breastfeeding Role models are always present

Connecting Norms and New Safe Place Mothers in Peer Groups Groups MUST be safe places for mothers to open up and share their inner most feelings.

20 Connecting Norms and New Safe Place Mothers in Peer Groups Groups MUST be safe places for mothers to open up and share their inner most feelings. We encourage mom s to practice breastfeeding in public while in this group. We respect each other and our differences. What is said in this room stays in this room.

21 Socialize & Build Friendships

22 3. Emotional Needs Addressed 5 Universal Tasks Postpartum are explored 5 Critical Needs of Children and Families are discussed 2 questions always asked: What was a challenge for you this month? What made motherhood good for you this month? Confidence is gained in new role as mother

23 5 Universal Emotional Tasks Postpartum Explored 1 per Month Pregnancy, Labor and Delivery Physical Restoration Attachment Work Assumption of the Caretaker Role Redefining Family Relationships

24 5 Critical Needs of Children and Families Explored 1 per Month Feeling Respected Feeling Important Feeling Accepted Feeling Included Feeling Secure

Introduction of How to Raise Emotionally Healthy Children Parenting is not something you learn once and master for all time. Different ages have different needs.

25 Introduction of How to Raise Emotionally Healthy Children Parenting is not something you learn once and master for all time. Different ages have different needs. Parents must learn to adjust their interactions accordingly. Parents must be good learners, children are the best teachers. LISTEN Concepts and techniques are easy to learn.

26 5 Critical Needs of Children and Families Explored Feeling Respected Feeling Important Feeling Accepted Feeling Included Feeling Secure

27 Feeling Respected Book Reading: Pages 7-8 Questions to Mothers: 1. What does respect look like to you? 2. What is the opposite of respect? 3. How do our babies talk to us? 4. How can we show respect to our babies? Practice What We Learn

28 5 Critical Needs of Children and Families Explored Feeling Respected Feeling Important Feeling Accepted Feeling Included Feeling Secure

Feeling Important Book Reading: Page 13 Question to Mothers: 1. How can we make our children feel important? Let babies explore in safe environment.

29 Feeling Important Book Reading: Page 13 Question to Mothers: 1. How can we make our children feel important? Let babies explore in safe environment. Listen and interact with babies/children when they talk to you. Get down to their level. Give children choices. Let children help. Practice What We Learn

30 5 Critical Needs of Children and Families Explored Feeling Respected Feeling Important Feeling Accepted Feeling Included Feeling Secure

Feeling Accepted Book Reading: Page 18-19 Question to Mothers: 1. How can we make our children feel accepted? Allow and encourage children to talk about their feelings.

31 Feeling Accepted Book Reading: Page Question to Mothers: 1. How can we make our children feel accepted? Allow and encourage children to talk about their feelings. Acknowledge feelings that s how they feel. (Be a good listener) Praise babies/children for things they do well or new things they try. Catch babies/children doing things right. Practice What We Learn

32 5 Critical Needs of Children and Families Explored Feeling Respected Feeling Important Feeling Accepted Feeling Included Feeling Secure

Feeling Included Book Reading: Pages 23-24 Question to Mothers: 1. How can we make our children feel included? Allow and encourage children to participate in chores.

33 Feeling Included Book Reading: Pages Question to Mothers: 1. How can we make our children feel included? Allow and encourage children to participate in chores. (Babies in slings can see all mom does) Include children in decision-making process. Talk to your baby as you go through your day s activities. Include your baby in family meal times. (Put baby at table height NOT on ground) Practice What We Learn

34 5 Critical Needs of Children and Families Explored Feeling Respected Feeling Important Feeling Accepted Feeling Included Feeling Secure

35 Feeling Secure Book Reading: Page 33 Question to Mothers: 1. How can we make our children feel secure? Show affection on a regular basis. Begin and end every day with the same routine or ritual. Eat as many family meals together as possible. Set reasonable limits that protect children from harm. All family members treat each other with 5 critical needs in mind. Practice What We Learn

36 Dr. Newmark Sums it Up!!

37 Take-Away Messages Isolation, stress and overwhelming feelings can cause women to stop breastfeeding. Utilize Peer Groups to overcome the isolation and stress to create circles of friends to gain special insight of needs and challenges to address emotional needs to build trusting relationships to role model positive behavior to build bridges with professionals to help women find resources TO RAISE EMOTIONALLY HEALTHY FAMILIES!

38 It takes a village to raise a breastfed child. Noman,womanorfamilycanbeanisland. Lifeismuch easier when we are part of a network of friends and family; when we are a part of a neighborhood. Sistah Connection Project is dedicated to bringing families together to help create emotionally healthy families and neighborhoods!

39 Making a Difference One Mom and Baby at a Time!

40 THANK YOU!!! For More Information www. or Laurie Haessly, MA, RD, IBCLC

How to Raise Emotionally Healthy Children - Webinar Handout/Outline

How to Raise Emotionally Healthy Children - Webinar Handout/Outline This one-hour webinar guides you through the five emotional needs to feel respected, important, accepted, included, and secure. Our panelists