This project aims to address the inequities in breastfeeding duration in underserved communities and the effects of low breastfeeding rates on the health of babies from low income families. This project will provide monthly grants to families in need to rent highly efficient hospital-grade breast pumps to help low income and often uninsured mothers with issues such low breast milk supply, providing breast milk after going back to work , feeding multiples, and breastfeeding with split custody.
The percentage of babies from low income households who are breastfed for the recommended 6 months or longer is currently less than 40%, while the breastfeeding rate for 6 months or longer in the middle class is over 60% and up to 70% in the highest income group. Low income parents do not have access to the infrastructure that supports breastfeeding such as access to Lactation Consultants, ability to afford efficient breast pumps upon return to work, and paid maternity leave.
NMC provides grants for free monthly rentals of hospital-grade breast pumps to low income families as well as peer to peer breastfeeding support/advice and Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant referrals to help support mothers who have a strong desire to do what is best for their baby's health by breastfeeding at least the first six months of life and hopefully past the one year mark.
Reaching our project's minimum fundraising goal will pay for 70 monthly breast pump rental fees which could allow a mother to return to work and still provide breast milk to her infant, help with supply issues for a mom who is not producing sufficient milk to feed her infant, allow for a mom of twins to have pumped milk so her partner can help with feedings, allow a mom who must be away from her baby due to custody arrangements to continue to supply the baby with the best possible nutrition.
