There have been a couple of new developments on the front to promote breastfeeding in the Central Valley.

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First, Tulare Regional Medical Center was recently awarded a $252,800 grant from First 5 Tulare County to continue its successful breastfeeding program.

The First 5 funding will be used to provide two full-time and one part-time lactation consultants, plus an RN who provides additional support via home visits following the birth of a baby.

The percentage of new moms who exclusively breastfeed while in the hospital has grown from 15 percent in 2008 to now more than 60 percent of new moms in 2015, according to Tulare Regional Medical Center.

“We’ve experienced a real culture change here at TRMC that truly benefits our moms and babies,” said Coleen Salazar, one of three lactation consultants on staff at HCCA/TRMC.

In addition, Gong’s IGA Market in Sanger was recently awarded the California Breast Feeding Coalition Mother-Baby Friendly Workplace Award — one of nine businesses statewide to receive such an award.

In October 2015 Gong’s IGA Market opened a room dedicated to breastfeeding mothers, thanks to funding from First 5 Fresno County.

Gong’s IGA Market also has a clear policy that customers may openly breastfeed anywhere in the store or use the breastfeeding room.