REQUIREMENTS AND DUTIES:
Pediatrician
member in good standing of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
Pediatrician member
in good standing of the Section on Breastfeeding
Appointed
by the AAP Chapter president and reaffirmed yearly
Coordinates
and encourages state activities related to the support and
promotion of breastfeeding
Report
to Chapter Executive Committee at least annually about breastfeeding
support activities in the Chapter, and also report activities
at least annually to the Section on Breastfeeding
OBJECTIVES:
Promote
and support breastfeeding as the optimal form of infant
nutrition.
Promote
physician education on breastfeeding and lactation within
their Chapter.
Identify
regional, state, or local organizations collecting data
on the incidence of breastfeeding and track changes as they
occur.
Identify
local and regional barriers to initiation and maintenance
of breastfeeding.
Work
with regional/state/local professional organizations and
other community representatives to implement community-based
strategies that provide a supportive environment for breastfeeding.
SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES:
Identify
individuals and organizations that can collaborate on the
promotion of breastfeeding at the community level. Form
or join coalitions as appropriate.
Encourage
local pediatricians to develop relationships with state
medical societies, health departments, state WIC contacts,
and other organizations that promote breastfeeding (eg,
Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, American Academy of Family
Physicians, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists,
La Leche League International, International Lactation Consultant
Association, etc.)
Encourage
development of hospital policies and procedures that foster
the "Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative" principles.
Work
with the AAP Section on Breastfeeding and local experts
to disseminate the AAP policies and resources to pediatricians
to assist them in responding to breastfeeding questions.
Be a speaker on the topic of breastfeeding or lactation
support wherever possible.
Support
mandates that residents be trained in breastfeeding issues
and that questions regarding breastfeeding be on the American
Board of Pediatrics certification exam.
Assist
hospitals and professional organizations, including the
AAP to develop and expand Continuing Medical Education programs
on breastfeeding.
Promote
and disseminate information related to employer-based lactation
support programs for employees, including model programs
for hospital and clinical settings.
Work
with state legislators and their Chapter's lobbyists to
support the passage of legislation that will remove legal
barriers to breastfeeding in public.
Participate
in AAP chapter executive committee meetings and state/local
Community Access to Child Health (CATCH) meetings and report
on breastfeeding activities. Also report these activities
to the AAP Manager of Breastfeeding Initiatives in the Division
of Pediatric Practice, in the Department of Practice. For more information email lactation@aap.org.
Participate
on the technical assistance team for state members of the
Breastfeeding Promotion in Physicians' Office Practices
program.
Write
articles about breastfeeding for the local Chapter Newsletters.
For a printable copy of this job description,
click here.
