Building a Local Breastfeeding Coalition

Breastfeeding coalitions can be an effective force in protecting and promoting breastfeeding.

What is a coalition and why are they important?

According to “Parents United for Public Schools,” a coalition is a group of individuals and/or organizations working together for a common purpose. Coalitions are important because there is power in numbers! Some advantages to coalitions are:

• Coalitions can reach a broader base.
• Coalitions generally have greater credibility and can have more leverage by demonstrating tangible, broad community support.
• Coalitions can offer better access to policy-makers and connections to influential decision-makers through a strong united voice.
• Coalitions create networking and partnership opportunities for your organization.
• Coalitions provide economies of scale and cost-efficiency, conserving resources for each member organization.
• Coalitions have the potential to provide media attention and public profiles that member groups may not be able to achieve alone.
• Coalitions offer access to greater expertise by calling on a range of organizations and individuals.

Visit Parents United for Public Schools for more general information on coalitions.

What do local breastfeeding coalitions do?

Local breastfeeding coalitions bring individuals and organizations together. They enable women, families, and community members to share ideas, break institutional and cultural barriers, and solve problems related to breastfeeding, in addition to empowering and educating the public.

Who should be included in a local breastfeeding coalition?

A coalition can include a wide variety of community members, including but not limited to local, regional, and national organizations, community leaders, nurses, doctors, midwives, medical staff, mothers, spouses and their families.

Resources for starting a non-profit/breastfeeding coalition:

United States Breastfeeding Committee

See the Breastfeeding Coalition of Oregon’s Six Steps to Building Local Breastfeeding Coalitions

The Louisiana Association of Nonprofit Organizations (LANO)

Texas Department of Health Resources for Community Coalition Building

To find a local breastfeeding coalition leader in your area, visit the Zipmilk website.

Local Breastfeeding Coalitions in Louisiana:

The Greater New Orleans Breastfeeding Awareness Coalition

The Acadiana Breastfeeding Coalition

The Breastfeeding Awareness Network and Coalition of Northeast Louisiana

If you would like to start a breastfeeding coalition in your area and would like assistance, please contact the Louisiana Breastfeeding Coalition at marci@louisianabreastfeedingcoalition.com.