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About the Native Breastfeeding Council PDF Print E-mail

The Native Breastfeeding Council is a project of the Sonoma County Indian Health Project, Inc.

Vision


Our vision is a return to the tradition of breastfeeding for the emotional, spiritual and physical health of families and future generations.

Mission


NBC supports, educates and promotes breastfeeding as the norm for families nurturing infants and young children. NBC provides leadership and engages tribal communities in embracing the tradition of breastfeeding.

 

Members of Native Breastfeeding Council

 

  • Marilyn Alvarez   local elder
  • Marce Becerra     local elder
  • Megan Buckley MA, BS in Wellness, CLE
  • Sherry Caldwell MA,, Breastfeeding Peer Counselor
  • Karen Clemmer  MN, PHN Peri-natal Services Coordinator, Sonoma County DHS
  • Jean Farmer MSN, PHN, CLE
  • Julie Hubbell      Community member
  • Kristi Lozinto WNA, Breastfeeding Peer Counselor
  • Angel Martinez MA
  • Lynn Parker MPH, RD, CLC, WIC Coordinator
  • Sosadea Rezo RDA
  • Kathleen Robbiano RN, PHN, CNM
  • Lauren Spieler DO Family Physician
  • Margaret Turano MS, IBCLC
  • Alison Whitemore  ACSW

 

Accomplishments:

 

  • Formation of Native Breastfeeding Council
  • Development of vision statement, mission statement
  • Logo developed by community member Vince Martinez
  • Annual community forums to discuss breastfeeding on a community level
  • Partnered with Sonoma County Breastfeeding Coalition, Sonoma County Department of Health Services and Phoenix Indian Medical Center
  • Community Assessment of women of childbearing age and elders to understand factors influencing infant feeding
  • Interviews with staff at Sonoma County Indian Health Project to establish present practice regarding breastfeeding
  • Implementation of infant feeding tool for children up to age two at each clinic visit at Sonoma County Indian Health
  • Development of an Infant Feeding Survey tool to be used by community members and health care staff at American Indian clinics to gain insights into factors influencing infant feeding
  • Development of an employee lactation policy/ procedures
  • Medical Assistant is Breastfeeding Peer Counselor
  • Breastfeeding tent available for community events
  • Receipt of grant from First Five Sonoma County for breastfeeding promotion
  • Spearheaded the formation of intertribal coalition on state and national levels
  • Spearheaded the 1st California Intertribal coalition meeting
  • 2010-Poster Presentation at United States Breastfeeding Committee in Washington DC on “Planning/ Assessment Process for a Breastfeeding Promotion Program
  • 2010-Participation by Dr. Spieler at the 2nd annual Summit on Breastfeeding, Washington DC
  • Publication by Dr. Lauren Spieler in the Journal of Breastfeeding Mediciine: "American Indians and Alaska Natives: Breastfeeding Disparities and Resources"
  • Grant from California Rural Indian Health Board and IHS-California to develop website
  • Presentation by Sherry Caldwell and Lynn Parker at the 4th International Meeting on Indiginous Child Health on the Native Breastfeeding Council