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Breastfeeding Medicine & Primary Care Community

Welcome! This is a group formed to engage discussion and collaboration around providing excellent breastfeeding support in the primary care setting. Scroll to the bottom of this page for more step-by-step information on using the community. 

The BfMed & Primary Care Community is a resource hub for health care providers looking to expand lactation care in their practice.Team-Based Care is a model that works and I I have created this site as a central place to gather resources.  As conversations come up we will add resources to the page.  I look forwarded to hearing about the collaborations that unfold.

~  Ann M. Witt, MD

Check out our *NEW* Primary Care Breastfeeding Support Newsletter!

Monthly research updates & clinical tips for busy primary care providers & lactation professionals.

Take me to the Newsletter archive

 An Introduction to Lactation Consultant (LC)/Primary Care Provider(PCP) Team-Based Care 

 Ann M. Witt, MD, FABM, IBCLC

Check out our 15 minute introductory video on the basic principles of team-based care and how it applies to outpatient breastfeeding support!

 

Introduce the Idea of Primary Care Breastfeeding Support to Others:

Are you trying to start the discussion about integrating breastfeeding support routinely into a primary care practice? Wondering where to start? Have you received questions like:  Why have lactation support at our practice? What does it offer? Why have a lactation consultant when I can do it myself? Can you bill? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions PDF for a quick and handy shareable resource for potential collaborators.  It will provide a great point for further discussions. 
Providing Primary Care Breastfeeding Support FAQ~ PDF Download
Do you have colleagues agreeing breastfeeding support is important but need some practical training?  The First Weeks Course Overview PDF helps both provide more information about what is covered in our course and also outlines common topics of support that are needed when providing outpatient breastfeeding support.  Sharing this may provide concrete points for discussion on providing needed lactation support! 
The First Weeks Course Overview ~ PDF Download

Resources by Topic

Overview:

Billing:

Research:

We have experience implementing team-based care in a suburban pediatric practice and an urban Federally Qualified Health Center.  Sharing our research articles may provide concrete details to potential collaborators.  The Translating Team- Based Breastfeeding Support into Primary Care Practice provides a six-point needs assessment to help your practice transition to providing this support. 

  • Integrating Routine Lactation Consultant Support into a Pediatric Practice. Witt AM, Smith S, Mason MJ, Flocke SA. Breastfeed Medicine. 2012 Feb;7(1):38-42 For the PubMed link and access to full pdf, click here.

  • Team-Based Breastfeeding Support at a Federally Qualified Health Center: Efficacy, Utilization, and Patient Satisfaction. Witt R,Vatti T, Lasko L, Witt AM, . Breastfeeding Medicine. 2021 . For the link to the full article, click here. If you need the PDF please send a message requesting

  • Translating Team-Based Breastfeeding Support into Primary Care Practice.Witt AM, Witt R, Lasko L, Flocke SA. JABFM. 2019 Nov;32 (6) 818-826.For the link to the full article, click here.

Statements recommending early outpatient support

  • Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine Position Statement: recommendation on exclusive breastfeeding comments "It is also essential that all new families have access to professional breastfeeding and lactation support and care" and "all mother–infant dyads should be assisted and supported to initiate and continue breastfeeding, which includes assessment of latch, position, hold, and comfort."
  • American Academy of Pediatric Policy Statement on Breastfeeding recommends "The critical role that pediatricians play is highlighted by the recommended health supervision visit within 48 to 72 hours after discharge from the hospital or at 3 to 5 days of age."

How to Navigate within the Community

Accept the Challenge!

Challenges are an opportunity for focused discussion.  Start with our "Introduce Yourself" challenge so others know what bring you to the group.

 

Circles

Circles (at the bottom left) are where you post thoughts and questions. Choose your category and start posting:

  • Team-based Care Q&A
  • The First Weeks Course Follow-Up 

Direct Messaging for Collaboration

See a name you recognize? Reach out! Click the speech bubble image in the upper right (if on the phone app go to the circles tab)

Tagging and Notifications

Control which notifications you receive by going to Settings > Notifications. 

You can tag community members directly or share with everyone using @everyone

Announcements & Meetups

Watch for announcements about updates including live meetup opportunities, coming soon!