|
Greetings to all of us who support breastfeeding families in Kansas!
Competition is my jam! It really is! I am sure many of you feel the same. And if the competition also brings along progress, then I am in heaven. Competition with progress embedded will keep me going for days, months and even years! You know where I am going with this :) Our beloved state of Kansas went backwards in our breastfeeding rates that just came out. Now I know, as we all know, that breastfeeding initiation and exclusivity rates are not part of a competition, but come on, when the new data comes out, that is a thing that catches the eye.
And so here is the thing – our current rates of breastfeeding initiation and exclusive breastfeeding are motivation. Truly! We have some work to do and the competition is on. Yes, Brenda Bandy … I see you smiling and reminding us all that when any breast milk-feeding dyad anywhere succeeds, we all succeed. Yes, that is true. And at the same time, this is renewed incentive to bring Kansas rates of breastfeeding back up. It is great that so many other states have made great progress … good for them. We want to be near the top too and certainly to exceed the national averages.
So as I share this my last letter to you as KBC Chair, I invite you to look at our fantastic, clear, beautifully written and presented “State of Breastfeeding in Kansas 2023” Report. You will not be surprised to know that there are actions each of us can take in this upcoming year of competition. Yes, the data in the current report reflects babies born in 2020 but this is a heads-up to do our very best to support breastfeeding families now so that when future reports are prepared, our breastfeeding initiation and exclusivity rates are back up.
This is exciting. This is really good! We have the opportunity to create change! So what are you going to do, today, to help us move up in this competition? Seriously, what is the first thing you are going to do to help us? And what is something big that you will do so that breastfeeding is the easy and sustainable choice for everyone in Kansas? Our winning, excuse me, I meant to say, improving our rates of breastfeeding by supporting one family at a time, depends on you. We need you. I am needed. My first action will be to finish this letter to you. My next action will be to talk with my local colleagues about making our community a CSB Plus Community. You know that that is, right? It is a head-start on improving our breastfeeding rates. It is like clearing the road so that your path is easier to navigate for the race. And hint – earning CSB Plus will be a super great first or second action for you and your community if you are not one yet.
So happy breastfeeding month everyone! The race is on … I hear the faint echoes of the theme from “Chariots of Fire” motivating us. See you out there!
Sincerely and gratefully,
Susan Lukwago
| 
