Welcome!
We’re glad you’re here.
The Breastfeeding Coalition of Oregon is a statewide organization dedicated to supporting, promoting and protecting breastfeeding. This website offers information tailored for many different audiences. We hope you’ll find what you need.
New Happenings at BCO:
Hot off the PRESS!
May 13, 2013
Senator Merkley, Senator Warren, Senator Harkin and Congresswoman Maloney and Breastfeeding Coalition of Oregon introduce the Support for Working Moms Act of 2013 at the Portland Police Bureau. Read the press release, BCO Press Release WorkingMomsAct2013MRFV
Parents often hear from health practitioners, the media or family and friends that it is fine to introduce solids to their infant at 4 months of age or even earlier. There is a lot of confusing information out there. However, the most trusted experts on infant health agree that it’s best to wait until 6 months to introduce solids into an infant’s diet. Read more here: BCO’s Recommendation Regarding the Introduction of Solids to Breastfeeding Infants
Taking Stock at BCO
For the 2012-2013 year, Breastfeeding Coalition of Oregon will be focused on supporting the continued development of local breastfeeding coalitions all over the state of Oregon. In addition, BCO will be engaged in doing some strategic planning for moving forward within the state but also with the Oregon Public Health Institute, our strategic home. There is a whole lot planned, please continue to watch this site and join the conversation about all things BCO on our Facebook page!
Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care videos are here!
The Breastfeeding Coalition of Oregon and the Indiana Perinatal Network collaborated to launch two breastfeeding-friendly child care videos in October, 2012. The first is for child care providers, and the second is for parents.
- How to Support Breastfeeding Mothers & Families: A Simple Guide for Child Care Providers
- Seeking Support for Breastfeeding at Work and Child Care
Breastmilk-friendly child care centers can order this window decal from the Indiana Perinatal Network, at the link above. You can also order breast milk handling friidge magnets and find sample milk handling policies available for download.
Tale of Two Births: The Baby-Friendly Hospital Rap
Breastfeeding Coalition of Oregon (BCO) and Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition (MBC) collaborated for the production of a rap music video about evidence-based hospital maternity care practices!
Click here to watch the video and read what’s behind this effort.
The bicoastal project was written and produced by BCO and MBC. Oregon talent included music by Tom11, videography by Paul Rizzo, local advocates-turned-actors, and the support of Providence Newberg Medical Center — Oregon’s newest Baby-Friendly hospital — which welcomed a zany film crew in on an overcast Saturday in March.
Many state breastfeeding coalitions and organizations nationally contributed to make this project possible. We’re very grateful for the outpouring of support.
2012 BCO Conference was a great success!
What a great conference! Thank you to everyone who presented, participated and brought poster displays to the conference!
- Read more about the theme, speakers, poster session, venders and plans for next year
- Pictures of the event are posted on our BCO Facebook page.
- Our CERP application was accepted, and certificates are on their way.
Hospital Collaborative Update:
- Applications open from April 2nd until May 4th to join a national project to improve breastfeeidng practices and achieve Baby-Friendly designation. This effort is being led by the National Initiative for Healthcare Quality (NICHQ), the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Baby-Friendly USA. The learning collabroatives formed through this project will receive technical assistance and support to accelerate the adoption of evidence-based infant feeding practices. Don’t miss this opportunity!
- Our December 14th OEBIN collaborative webcast, supported by the Oregon Assocation of Hospitals and Health Systems (OAHHS) went very well and was well-attended. Infant Nutrition webcast recording available here.
- Our first annual hospital summit was a great success. Read more about the Oregon Hospitals Parntering for Evidence-Based Infant Nutrition (OEBIN) Summit, in our OEBIN summit summary and on the MotherBaby Network blog.
- NEW RESOURCE available on this website. Check out the BCO Healthcare section’s new pages: Evidence-Based Hospital Practice, Evidence-Based Clinical Protocols, and Research & Resource Library.
Worksite Lactation Update:
- The Office on Women’s Health is building an online searchable database to feature creative ways to support employees who are nursing their babies. If your business, or one that you are aware of, has found solutions for time constraints and private space for nursing employees, that comply with the Federal nursing breaks law, please share the successful breastfeeding and return to work story so we can showcase the company’s success.
- In September, 2011, in Washington DC, there was a historic meeting to bring together stakeholders in the new federal workplace protection law — Reasonable Breaks for Nursing Mothers. US Surgeon General Regina Benjamin, Senator Jeff Merkley (OR) and Representative Carolyn Maloney (NY) opened the day, while business and labor organizations and breastfeeding advocates discussed barriers and solutions to implementation of the Federal rest breaks law. See the BCO facebook page for pictures from the event.
