Breastfeeding Coalition of the Uniformed Services (BCUS) Update

Military Medicine, Fall 2005

(BCUS/BECAUSE), which was founded in 2001, is sponsoring its 4th session at the AMSUS Annual Meeting in Delta Island F at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, Nashville, TN on Wednesday, 2 November 2005. The Theme of this annual meeting is "Joint Interoperability", exactly, what we are trying to do with breastfeeding among the uniformed services.

BCUS topics this year will examine barriers to breastfeeding experienced by active duty soldiers, which is original research by Major Mary Krueger, MD, USA, challenges of pumping in the workplace, International Board of Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) internship opportunities, implementing La Leche League International Peer Counselor Programs in the military, and a review of new Navy and Marine Corps Policies on Pregnancy and Parenthood.

As usual, BCUS takes this opportunity to conduct an annual business meeting. Attendees are enrolled in the list serve which establishes networking advantages. Also featured, will be a Breastfeeding Support Space at Delta Island F. We have the opportunity to provide posters Tuesday evening, at the MSC/MD Poster Session.

Liz attended the August USBC meeting which highlighted planning for a national meeting of state and regional breastfeeding coalitions, 21 -22 January 2006, Alexandria, VA. If you work with a community breastfeeding coalition, please send POC with mailing address, so we can keep you informed.

Please note contact information:

AMSUS United States Breastfeeding Committee (USBC) representatives:

Julia D. Block CAPT, MC, USNRJadblock221@pol.net

Liz Flight, liz.flight@cox.net

American Academy of Pediatrics Uniformed Services Chapter Breastfeeding Coordinators:

David S. Louder, LCOL, USAF, MC, david.louder@pentagon.af.mil

Jennifer Reynard, MAJ, USA, MD, Jennifer.Reynard@cen.amedd.army.mil (West)