ELLY GRIMM
• Leader & Times
Many new mothers need a place to breastfeed their newborns and recently, a spot for just that was put up in the park next to Libera’s Crosspoint Church.
The project, which consisted of putting in a new lactation bench, was completed last month, and Seward County Local Health Action Team (LHEAT) Leader Susana Hernandez said there were multiple inspirations for the project.
“Seward County is one of 41 REACH recipients (Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health), and with this funding, organizations will plan and carry out local, culturally appropriate programs to address a wide range of health issues among racial and ethnic minority groups where health gaps remain,” Hernandez said. “REACH intends to improve health where people live, learn, work and play. As one of 41 REACH recipients, KU Medical Center will implement proven public health strategies to: Simplify healthy food choices by promoting food service and nutrition guidelines, expanding fruit and vegetable voucher incentives and produce prescription programs; provide safe and accessible physical activity by connecting pedestrian, bicycle or transit transportation networks to everyday destinations; and streamline continuity of care in breastfeeding support by collaborating with partners to implement breastfeeding-friendly policies and practices. The LHEAT in place in Seward County is composed of dedicated members of our community. We meet monthly to identify social determinants affecting health and the physical environment in our community that may be creating barriers to completing our REACH goals, which include supporting breastfeeding, promoting physical activity and increase access to healthy nutrition. We partner up and collaborate with agencies in our community to encourage them to adopt policies and solutions that will ultimately benefit everyone in the community.”
Project coordinator Julie Foster said the team was enthusiastic to take the project on and provide support for breastfeeding mothers.
“There are three focus areas with this grant, one of which is implementing policies and practices to support breastfeeding. Several counties in our state are introducing breastfeeding benches,” Foster said. “We had to ask ‘What do you think of when you think of importance of breastfeeding?’ We also asked 'Consider the various locations within our community that you frequently visit and where you work – how supportive and accommodating are these places to mothers who need to breastfeed their children outside of their homes or require a place to pump while they work?’ Our LHEAT determined this resource was both desired and necessary in our community. We hope this is a small step to increase overall support of breastfeeding in our community.”
Discussions for the project then began last July, Foster said, and the staff at Crosspoint Church was very willing and open to the project.
“Projects like this often face the misconception that they can be completed quickly, but the process from idea to finished product takes time,” Foster said. “The quickest part was the construction of the actual benches. We contracted a local welder Cesar Baeza he started construction of the benches Nov. 2 and both benches were completed by Nov. 19. Surprisingly, the delay was in finding a host for the benches, both benches, delivery and installation were 100 percent covered through this grant funding and cost $0 to the host site. Crosspoint Church has a park that is open to the community, and they also host a Learn and Play group that meets during the week and frequently uses that park. Therefore, considering where these benches can have the most significant impact, a public park seemed like the perfect location. I can't express enough how wonderful the team at Crosspoint Church is, because they agreed to the project immediately. I especially appreciate how both Genesis Family Health and Crosspoint Church were enthusiastic about introducing something new to their locations. Embracing something new can be daunting for many, and that's perfectly understandable. Education plays a pivotal role, and when people grasp the significance of this resource, they can advocate for addressing the gaps in our community.”
Susan Lukwago, who also helped with the project, said it is important for such areas to be available for breastfeeding mothers.
“Integrated breastfeeding in more social settings goes a long way towards normalizing breastfeeding in a community. When parents can comfortably feed their babies anywhere that they are allowed to be, then it becomes less 'unusual' to see,” Lukwago said. “It becomes just one of the best ways to feed babies. Brenda Bandy, Executive Director of the Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition, said 'Families will appreciate this shady place to tend to their little ones. They will love being able to easily find local breastfeeding help using the QR code on the sign. What a terrific way to let families know that Liberal supports breastfeeding!' We really appreciate the support.”
Hernandez and Lukwago, along with fellow project participant Clarissa Carrillo, offered encouragement for breastfeeding mothers to use the new area.
“Federal law mandates employers provide reasonable break time and a private, non-bathroom space for nursing mothers to express milk, while many states offer additional protections, such as extending protections beyond one year or mandating specific space requirements,” Carrillo said. “This mandate is not always well-known among working mothers, particularly those returning to work while still breastfeeding. One of our focuses, supported by the REACH Grant, is lactation. Our goal is to collaborate with local partner organizations and community members to connect resources and address existing gaps. We want mothers to know that there are many of us cheering them on. We understand that lactation can be challenging, and we know that there are moms out there that are trying their best because they know it is essential for the health of their babies. We all agree that it is important to push and create a safe and supportive environment for mothers and their little ones- they are not alone in the process and there are available resources for them.”
“From experience, I know breastfeeding can be challenging, especially when you are out and about because there aren't many evident public places that welcome breastfeeding,” Hernandez said. “The lactation benches were created for you! This is one way to support your breastfeeding journey. We want you to feel confident and supported while you bond with your baby. If you have any questions about breastfeeding, please let us know, because we are here to support you!”
“I would let mothers and all family members know that the lactation bench is an area dedicated to them. It has been placed there for the comfort of mother and baby and family,” Lukwago added. “Sometimes people feel they cannot breastfeed anywhere – they can everywhere they have a right to be ... well the lactation bench is especially for breastfeeding. It is like a restaurant for your baby. The lactation bench is one of the steps we are taking to make breastfeeding the easy choice for everyone who wants to do so. It is one way to address possible barriers to breastfeeding. So please use the lactation bench because it is yours.”
Carrillo and Lukwago added they will continue working hard to highlight the benefits of having such areas in place.
“We want to continue highlighting these benches and hope to inspire similar projects in other spaces and communities. But we want to encourage employers and community organizations to create a supportive environment for working mothers,” Carrillo said. “This includes providing spaces for mothers who need to lactate at work and considering adding these types of benches in their outdoor areas if it makes sense in their spaces.”
“We will always be looking for ways to make breastfeeding the easy choice for everyone who wants to do so,” Lukwago added. “If we see that families are using the lactation benches, then we will look for other locations and opportunities and community support and funding to put up others in the community.”
Carrillo and Lukwago also agreed they are proud of how the project turned out.
“Our Seward County LHEAT and groups from Ford, Finney, and Grant counties are working to add more lactation benches. We were inspired by Carmen Valverde from Lactancia Latina en el Suroeste de Kansas, who highlighted how these benches help our community's health,” Carrillo said. “It is exciting to see many people understand the importance of breastfeeding and want to support mothers in our communities. We hope to continue working with our community to encourage breastfeeding policies in workplaces, help fill in gaps, create awareness about breastfeeding rights and resources. We all want healthier and better communities.”
“And if anyone has any questions about breastfeeding or ideas as to how we can make breastfeeding easier and more comfortable for you or someone you know, please let us know,” Lukwago added. “We are eager to support families in starting off the nutrition of their families in the most healthy way possible.”
