Pennsylvania Chapter
American Academy of Pediatrics 

Breastfeeding Programs

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First Food

This breast/chest-feeding program is committed to:​

• Fomenting partnerships and cooperation with state-wide community partners

• Assisting organizations with the implementation of policies and programs across Pennsylvania

• Promoting the Breastfeeding-Friendly Community

• Encouraging others to join in the effort to protect breastfeeding

• Providing education on the benefits of human milk with the purpose of cultural acceptance  

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               Visit the First Food Website

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First Food Projects: 

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Our Library Story Kit Project for Libraries: 
​How Mammals Feed Their Babies 

In an effort to educate communities across Pennsylvania about the importance of human milk as "First Food," we have developed a free Breastfeeding Library Story Kits as a story time resource for libraries to help normalize breastfeeding! Libraries and librarians play a unique role in providing health information and have an opportunity to improve public support of chest/breastfeeding by ensuring that children's collections include picture books that depict breastfeeding in other mammals, in an age-appropriate manner.
If you or anyone you know is interested in learning more about the story kit, please contact Shaley Christensen at [email protected].

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Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care Guide

​​First Food developed a Breastfeeding-Friendly Child Care Guide to explain how child care programs can best support breast/chestfeeding parents and their children in their care, by following national breastfeeding and infant feeding standards. 
For more information on how to acquire the guide, please reach out to Shaley Christensen at [email protected].

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Stay Connected with First Food! 

Follow us on Facebook or contact us:

​www.pafirstfood.org

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​Keystone 10

​Access our Learning Modules 

​This hospital-based initiative seeks to:

• Increase the protection, promotion, and support of breast/chest-feeding 

• Assist Pennsylvania’s birthing facilities in quality improvement by supporting their adoption and implementation of evidence-based maternity care practices

• Improve state-wide initiation, duration and exclusivity rates by encouraging birthing facilities to join the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding initiative

Keystone 10 Events & Updates:

​We are glad to be able to discuss common goals, obstacles and objectives with our K10 hospitals. To join us on Basecamp, click here. 

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Learning and Engagement Opportunities: 

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Online Breastfeeding Education and other PA AAP Breastfeeding courses 

Free breastfeeding online learning modules are available here for those that work/live in Pennsylvania.
​CME/CEU credit is available.
If you have questions about the online modules, please reach out to Devon Gilinger at [email protected] or by clicking here.

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​Breastfeeding Resources for Parents & Providers

Lactation Education Resources offers free handouts on various topics including when to call a lactation consultant, what to look for when breastfeeding, storage of breastmilk and more. See the handouts and more information here!
​Download the following resources for your practice:

First Food has developed posters to promote breastfeeding in medical offices, hospitals, and public spaces. We have these posters available in English, Spanish(US), Simplified Chinese, Korean, Arabic, and Vietnamese. They can be downloaded below!
Hard copies are available to be mailed out in English in an 8x11!

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•  Guide to Breastfeeding
• Apps and Websites Postcard
• BEST Breastfeeding Pocket Guide​
• ​Our 2 Breastfeeding Posters, by language:

Poster 1: Infant Nutrition
Poster 2: Breastfeeding Benefits

• English (Poster 1) and (Poster 2)
• Spanish (Poster 1) and (Poster 2)
• Chinese (Poster 1) and (Poster 2)
• Vietnamese (Poster 1) and (Poster 2)
• Korean (Poster 1) and (Poster 2)
• Arabic (Poster 1) and (Poster 2)

• Breastfeeding Immunization Poster
• CDC Clean Breast Pump Fact Sheet
• Skin-to-Skin
• ​CDC Parameters for COVID-19 and Breastfeeding link
• Previous Facebook Posts from First Food ​
• Breastfeeding Welcome Here 
• Door Hangers for the Office ​
• ​Breastfeeding Cues: English & Spanish
• Breastfeeding Cues: Spanish
• Provider Resource Guide 
• Parent Resource Guide 
• NICU Guide 

Frequently Asked Questions 

breastfeeding myths

why should i breastfeed and who does breastfeeding benefit?

Breastfeeding is beneficial to the mother and baby for a variety of reasons. 
For mom: 
-Reduces risk of ovarian and breast cancers
-Reduced risk of post-partum depression 
-Reduced risk of developing Type 2 diabetes
-Reduced risk of heart disease and more!

For baby: 
-Boosts immune system 
-Provides anti-bodies, known as 'first vaccine'
-Fewer ear and respiratory infections
-Reduced risk of Sudden Infant Syndrome (SIDS)
-Reduced risk of childhood obesity, asthma and diabetes and more!

Please ask your healthcare provider about benefits of breastfeeding!

How is milk made?

Please ask your healthcare provider if you have additional questions. 

what can i do about mastitis, fungal infections, and plugged ducts?

Please contact your healthcare provider for more information. 

what's the importance of skin-to-skin?

Health professionals, (in addition to your doctor), that can help with breastfeeding

THE TEAM

​Dottie Schell, BS, RN, CLC

Devon Gilinger MPH, CHES, CLC