WICHITA, Kan. – With a goal of increasing initiation and duration rates of breastfeeding throughout the state, 10 Kansas organizations and agencies have received funding totaling approximately $1 million through the Kansas Breastfeeding Initiative, a partnership of the Kansas Health Foundation (KHF) and the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund (UMHMF).

Organizations receiving funding include:

• Health Partnership Clinic, $100,000
• Kansas Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies, $100,000
• Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition, $98,121
• Kansas Chapter American Academy of Pediatrics, $100,000
• Neosho County Health Department, $34,820
• Pawnee County Health Department, $99,981
• Salina Health Education Foundation, $100,000
• Stormont-Vail Foundation, $98,422
• Thomas County Health Department, $100,000
• Kansas Department of Health and Environment, $99,547

Breastfeeding provides immediate and lifelong nutrition and health benefits for mother and child, as well as larger economic, environmental and social benefits to families and communities. Research shows breastfed babies are less likely to become obese, and have a lower risk of developing asthma, diabetes and respiratory infections. Yet, Kansas ranks 48th in the nation for rates of mothers who exclusively breastfeed during a child’s first six months.

“Breastfeeding at the earliest stages of life has been shown to have a lifetime of positive results,” said Chan Brown, program officer for the Kansas Health Foundation. “Working with these grantees, we will strive to give all mothers and babies the best chance at breastfeeding success.”

Funding to these organizations will support the implementation– in hospitals, workplaces and communities–of strategies recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to support mothers in successful breastfeeding.

“Increasing breastfeeding rates in our state has to start with changing the culture around how we support, promote and encourage breastfeeding for new mothers,” said Katie Ross, program officer for the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund. “From maternity care practices, to employer support, to better and more readily-available education, if we want our state to see the long-term benefits of breastfeeding, we need to work together to reverse the trend of declining breastfeeding rates and duration.”

All grantees will work to further develop and implement breastfeeding initiatives in coordination with health care systems, health care providers, public health professionals and community efforts.