First Food Continuity: Bridging Healthcare and Child Care Industries

Healthcare and child care industry professionals engage with families before, during, and after birth. However, coordination of lactation management for families lacks broad-scale integration and standardization. Families' perceptions of inconsistent messaging along the care continuum can harm lactation duration. A continuity of care (CoC) framework which embeds evidence-based practice across industries has potential to impact breastfeeding duration rates and bridge support during the first 1,000 days of life. Communication tools and job aides targeting the intersection of industries to achieve CoC have not been fully explored. Nutrition professionals are uniquely equipped and positioned to counsel families during the first 1,000 days, establishing a platform to sustain CoC. This presentation will highlight a CoC toolkit to prepare nutrition professionals to critique lactation support resources for CoC and develop interdisciplinary collaboration.

CPE Level: Level 2 (intermediate knowledge/experience)
CPEU: 1

Performance Indicators

• 2.1.5 Evaluates the effectiveness of communication methods used to ensure understanding of presented information.
• 9.3.2 Develops a variety of learning activities based on a plan of action and the needs of individuals, groups, communities and populations.
• 12.3.4 Collaborates with community partners to design programs.

Learning Objectives

• Tailor perinatal education in order to maintain continuity of care (CoC) messaging and effectively counsel families through lactation management during periods of separation
• Recommend strategies to preserve the lactation continuum of care and foster interdisciplinary collaboration in order to cultivate a systems approach for optimizing breastfeeding duration rates
• Explain the RDN's role in addressing child care industry barriers to infant and young child feeding best practices in order to determine strategic partnerships for expanding nutrition education and services

Moderator

• Catherine Sullivan, MPH, RD, LDN, IBCLC, FAND

Speakers

• Jessica C. Bridgman, MPH, RDN, LDN
• Daina C. Huntley, MPH, CHES