Breastfeeding is well-recognized for its numerous health benefits for the mother, infant, and community. While 75% of infants in Kentucky are ever breastfed, only 21% are exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life. Providing lactation-friendly spaces in the settings within which Extension programming is offered is one way Extension can initiate change in community infrastructure to support breastfeeding. However, the perceptions of Extension personnel are not well understood.  

Dr. Courtney Luecking, Extension Specialist for Maternal and Child Nutrition, worked with two undergraduate dietetics scholars to design a survey that examined the knowledge and beliefs of Extension professionals and the facilities and resources available to support lactating people in community programming spaces. Eighty-six people responded to the survey, with responses from all programmatic areas and equal representation across the Eastern, Central, and Western regions of the state.

Half of respondents indicated a community member has requested access to a space for breastfeeding. Nearly all (99%) agreed they would feel comfortable providing accommodations for a client who wished to breastfeed while participating in a program. Most respondents (88%) agreed that county Extension offices should provide a space for breastfeeding that is not a restroom stall. However, only 24% of respondents indicated their county office has a designated space for breastfeeding. Respondents indicated a room with a lock, a chair, a wastebasket, and signs could help improve comfort. Many respondents (88%) agreed that Extension providing breastfeeding support would make them a better community partner, and more than one-third of respondents said they would like to talk further about this topic. 

Responses to this novel investigation indicate value for supporting breastfeeding in Cooperative Extension programming spaces and guidance for how to go about this. Listening sessions will soon be conducted with those who want to talk more about this topic. Feedback from listening sessions and the survey are being used to create a toolkit and supporting training that will position Extension to be a leader in providing community-based lactation support. Increasing community-based support for breastfeeding across Kentucky can help contribute to increased rates of exclusive breastfeeding that benefit the health of families and communities.