Introduction
THA is working in collaboration with the Tennessee Department of Health to promote breastfeeding as part of the work to reduce chronic disease and obesity. The Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care score (mPINC) for Tennessee showed some slight improvement from 2011 to 2013 with statewide score increasing from 62 to 67. Our national ranking, however, dropped in this timeframe from 46th to 49th, as other states made improvements more quickly.
Understanding that the long-term health benefits derived from breastfeeding affects both mother and baby, it is imperative that we work together in an effort to improve breastfeeding rates and in turn, improve their overall health. To this effort, a statewide media campaign was launched and free on-line lactation education is available for Tennessee OB facilities use. The breastfeeding campaign posters as well as other icons can be downloaded for free use below.