title: Brookings supports breastfeeding: using public deliberation as a community-engaged approach to dissemination of research.
abstract: Empirical evidence demonstrates myriad benefits of breastfeeding for mother and child, along with benefits to businesses that support breastfeeding. Federal and state legislation requires workplace support for pumping and provides protections for public breastfeeding. Yet, many are unaware of these laws, and thus, support systems remain underdeveloped. We used a community-based approach to spread awareness about the evidence-based benefits of breastfeeding and breastfeeding support. We worked to improve breastfeeding support at the local hospital, among local employers, and throughout the broader community. Our coalition representing the hospital, the chamber of commerce, the university, and local lactation consultants used a public deliberation model for dissemination. We held focus groups, hosted a public conversation, spoke to local organizations, and promoted these efforts through local media. The hospital achieved Baby-Friendly status and opened a Baby Café. Breastfeeding support in the community improved through policies, designated pumping spaces, and signage that supports public breastfeeding at local businesses. Community awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding and breastfeeding support increased; the breastfeeding support coalition remains active. The public deliberation process for dissemination engaged the community with evidence-based promotion of breastfeeding support, increased agency, and produced sustainable results tailored to the community's unique needs.
authors.affiliation: 115K Pugsley Center, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, 57007, USA. Jennifer.Anderson@sdstate.edu.
authors.forename: Jenn
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-2881-3703
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.affiliation: 115K Pugsley Center, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, 57007, USA.
authors.forename: Rebecca A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Kuehl
authors.affiliation: Wabash College, Crawfordsville, USA.
authors.forename: Sara A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Mehltretter Drury
authors.affiliation: 115K Pugsley Center, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, 57007, USA.
authors.forename: Lois
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tschetter
authors.affiliation: Brookings Health System, Brookings, USA.
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schwaegerl
authors.affiliation: Brookings Health System, Brookings, USA.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yoder
authors.affiliation: Brookings Area Chamber of Commerce, Brookings, USA.
authors.forename: Heidi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gullickson
authors.affiliation: Brookings Area Chamber of Commerce, Brookings, USA.
authors.forename: Jamison
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lamp
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bachman
authors.forename: Marilyn
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hildreth
mesh_terms: D001942:Breast Feeding; D003256:Community Participation; D017144:Focus Groups; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D058015:Health Communication / Q000379:methods*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Breastfeeding; Community-based participatory research; Health communication; Public deliberation