Final Thoughts and Ponderings from the Chairs

Four years and four Summits have brought tremendous progress in the universal effort to make breastfeeding normal, natural, and embraced by a large number of people, corporate business, the healthcare system, and the local, state, and the Federal governments. Can the Summits take credit for all of this? Never! But the efforts have increased the momentum and awakened some sleeping Rip van Winkles. It is important to note the number of people and organizations who have accepted the challenge.

Summits on breastfeeding have been held by many groups and organizations across the country. Many of the same speakers have contributed to their success. Other groups have begun to work with the mayors of cities and governments large and small. Even the insurance companies have had to respond. Most important of all has been the generous expansion of the role of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, which has begun to fund many breastfeeding activities, including the United States Breastfeeding Committee. Progress occurs when many get involved, but stability and permanence of accomplishments develop when everyone gets the joy, pleasure, and credit out of the process that they deserve.

All those present during the 2 days of the Summit have been charged to continue the progress and regenerate the energy and enthusiasm. Each participant has an assignment and a goal. In the preceding pages, this summary issue of Breastfeeding Medicine reviews the topics and issues discussed at the Summit, and the objectives and actions are outlined. Racial and ethnic groups with disappointing breastfeeding rates will be approached in new ways, and peers for all groups will be identified, mobilized, and trained. Healthcare corporate models that work have been identified. Healthcare professionals need training not just in the value of breastfeeding and the mechanics, but also in the ways in which to incorporate breastfeeding into a thriving practice. The business case for breastfeeding promoted with federal money and expertise has accomplished much but the job is not complete.

These plans are not perfect. There is still no guarantee that the momentum achieved will be permanent. The charge this year is to continue the work outlined in these pages. The challenge is not to get more women breastfeeding, but to have more women succeed and continue longer. Duration is still far below the goals. This will take efforts in the community and by supporting organizations, industry, and insurance companies. Breastfeeding monies need to be spent on solving the duration challenges! Congress is not without responsibility.

Each Summit has been built on the previous Summit. The players have accepted their responsibilities from government agencies, corporate employers, local governments, healthcare organizations and lynchpins, and insurance companies. Progress has been made but is not inevitable.

The Fifth Summit will examine the progress and continue to seek solutions where progress is less than optimal. A strong mechanism will be put in place to sustain the momentum that has increased breastfeeding initiation, fosters optimal duration, and guarantees support from the healthcare community, reimbursement organizations, the government at all levels, and the public at large.