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By My Side Birth Support Program

A Good Idea

Description

Healthy Start Brooklyn (HSB) coordinated efforts that focused on five low-income, predominantly African American and Latino neighborhoods to create empowerment zones to shift breastfeeding practices and norms. The By My Side Birth Support Program was developed to deliver low-cost birth services to low-income and immigrant women. Women living in targeted neighborhoods were hired and trained as doulas to provide emotional, physical, and informational support to mothers during delivery and conduct pre- and postnatal home visits. Doula services that are typically available to higher-wealth communities are now accessible by low-income families through By My Side. The doulas also serve as lactation consultants.

HSB has reached out to organizations with strong community ties to initiate culturally appropriate breastfeeding support, expanding the training program so organizations can offer their own doula services.

Goal / Mission

The mission of the By My Side Birth Support Program is to provide birth support and encourage breastfeeding among low-income and immigrant mothers living in Brooklyn through the use of doula services.

Impact

By March 2012, the By My Side Birth Support Program successfully trained more than 30 women in the community. These doulas, along with those already working for By My Side, participated in more than 100 births.

Results / Accomplishments

By My Side Birth Support Program results show that mothers who used a doula have higher rates of exclusive breastfeeding. By March 2012, the program successfully trained more than 30 women in the community. These doulas, along with those already working for By My Side, participated in more than 100 births.

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
Healthy Start Brooklyn
Primary Contact
Healthy Start Brooklyn
Brooklyn District Public Health Office/DOHMH
485 Throop Avenue, 2nd floor
Brooklyn, New York 11221
646.253.5700
http://fphny.org/media/pdf/HSB-Brochure.pdf
Topics
Health / Maternal, Fetal & Infant Health
Organization(s)
Healthy Start Brooklyn
Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Community Health
Geographic Type
Urban
Location
New York City, New York
For more details
Target Audience
Women, Racial/Ethnic Minorities
Additional Audience
Low-income
Miami-Dade Matters