Lactation Skills Workshop: A Collaboration of the City of Dallas WIC and Local Hospitals

The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, a global endeavor of the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children's Fund, is an evidence-based program identifying 10 interventions that when hospitals implement them, breastfeeding (BF) rates improve. It recognizes the powerful role that health care workers have in successful BF and the need for competent hands-on skills to support lactation. The City of Dallas, TX, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program collaborated with 3 urban hospitals and developed a training of practical techniques and information for staff to use while working with BF patients. Since implementation, 1,600 workers were trained, 1 hospital achieved Baby-Friendly designation, and all have increased BF rates by 10%.