DEFENSE HEALTH HEADQUARTERS, FALLS CHURCH, VA -- The U.S. Army Medical Command is now implementing the program phase or Phase 2 of the Breastfeeding and Lactation Support initiative (BFLS), which the organization originally launched in January 2016.
This second phase began Jan. 1 and includes tools that will access and measure BFLS progress throughout U.S. Army medical treatment facilities worldwide.
"The program phase of this initiative monitors baseline data and implements quality improvement indicators in order to establish health and lactation support program performance outcome goals," said Dr. Laurena L. White, the program administrator for the Women's Health Service Line (WHSL) in Falls Church, Virginia.
"On a quarterly basis, the Women's Health Service Line will extract data reported in the Strategic Management System (SMS) to calculate specific metrics: breastfeeding initiation rate, exclusive breastfeeding rate at discharge, breastfeeding duration and Body Mass Index (BMI)/Weight of active duty Soldiers who elect to breastfeed. These are only two examples of many areas which are to be measured concerning the Breastfeeding and Lactation Support Plan," White said.
Army Directive (AD) 2015-43, the revised Breastfeeding and Lactation Support policy, includes new guidance on workplace lactation support for breastfeeding mothers (Soldiers), she said. "Prior to this new directive, no Army policy addressed the breastfeeding support for mothers in the workplace."
To develop the new policy, the Army deputy chief of staff for Manpower (G-1) leveraged the expertise of MEDCOM subject matter experts to conduct a comprehensive review of current Army guidance, services policies, best practices and current civilian healthcare breastfeeding literature to develop input for Army Regulation 600-20 on Army Breastfeeding and Lactation Support.
BFLS policies (AD 2015-43 and MEDCOM Memo 16-005) uniformly direct and support three of the four Army Medicine Lines of Effort: Ready and Deployable Medical Force, Readiness and Health of the Force and Health of Families and Retirees, White said.
The Army Surgeon General's office published Policy Memo 16-005 regarding this initiative.
"This policy is applicable to all MEDCOM facilities for implementing a workplace breastfeeding and lactation support program with a designated space," White said.
"It is also applicable for medical treatment facilities with inpatient maternal and newborn care services and the [U.S. Army Medical Department Center and School] for the purpose of training and developing a comprehensive set of plans for implementing the 'Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding' and monitoring breastfeeding policies and procedures. The development of strong bonds and infant health supports the Army long-term readiness, health and retention goals."
AD 2015-43 also outlines the commander's responsibility for implementing the program and notifying all Soldiers of the policy during initial pregnancy counseling.
"Extensive medical research proves breastfeeding has significant benefits. Soldiers' absence from work will be reduced because of a decreased need to attend acute pediatric appointments for gastrointestinal or upper respiratory infections," White said.
"The revised directive also helps Army lower overall healthcare costs. Moreover, this initiative promotes readiness as Soldiers experience improved postpartum weight loss and ability to attain Army Body Composition standards."
The expression of breast milk by Soldiers when they return to duty
"Investing in the workplace Breastfeeding and Lactation Support program can yield substantial dividends for the Army -- lower turnover rates, additional healthcare savings and productivity and loyalty," she said.
BFLS policies work in conjunction to provide a supportive environment that encourages breastfeeding and lactation support upon return to duty. These policies will help ensure commanders and Soldiers are informed on the benefits, services and support available for Soldiers breastfeeding in the workplace.
Army leaders are expected to treat every Soldier with dignity and respect and provide the necessary support to ensure the readiness of Soldiers and their Families, according to the directive.
Additional Department of Defense Instructions follows:
DODI 1315.18 (October 2015), Procedures for Military Personnel Assignments states for a minimum of four months after the birth of the child, a military mother will be deferred from assignment to a dependent-restricted overseas tour or an accompanied overseas tour when concurrent travel is denied. The same deferment period also applies to deployments or TDY away from the PDS or home port. The mother may waive the deferment period. The Services may, if operational and military requirements permit, authorize a deferment period in excess of four months.
DODI 1342.19 (May 2010), Family Care Plans Pursuant to DoDI 1315.18 (Reference (i)), is to assist Service members in developing family care plans and establishing a pattern of child care, Service members shall receive these deferments from duty:
(1) Military mothers of newborns shall receive a four month deferment from duty away from the home station for the period immediately following the birth of a child.
(2) Single Service members who adopt, or one member of a dual-military couple who adopts, shall receive a four month deferment from duty away from the home station from the date the child is placed in the home as a part of the formal adoption process.
(3) Army Reserve Component (RC) service members who are mothers of newborns, single RC members who adopt, and one RC member of a dual-military couple who adopts shall receive a four month deferment from involuntary call to active duty immediately following the child's birth or placement in the home.
See additional information at below websites.
https://phc.amedd.army.mil/topics/healthyliving/wh/Pages/BreastfeedingandBreastHealth.aspx - Army Public Health Center, Women's Health Portal
Tricare Breast Pump Information
http://www.tricare.mil/CoveredServices/IsItCovered/BreastPumpsSupplies
References:
Army Directive 2015-37 (Breastfeeding and Lactation Support Policy)
Army Regulation 600-8-24 (Officer Transfers and Discharges) -- Updates forthcoming
AR 600-20 (Army Command Policy)
AR 614-30 (Overseas Service)
AR 635-200 (Active Duty Enlisted Administrative Separations)
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