(Submitted by Wood County Health Department)
Wood County Health Department is recognizing breastfeeding as the “foundation of life” during August, which is Breastfeeding Awareness Month.
Wood County WIC, which offers nutritional support and resources for children and families, is celebrating Breastfeeding Awareness Month in several ways, among them by hosting an air-conditioned Baby Rest station at the Wood County Fair this week in partnership with Wood County Hospital. The area inside the Fair Pavilion will offer a place for mothers to nurse and change diapers. WIC staff will offer information about the breastfeeding program as well as encouragement and support for breastfeeding moms. Additionally, WIC participants can stop in the office to enter to win weekly drawings for baskets of baby and breastfeeding products.
August is Breastfeeding Awareness Month in Ohio, and Aug. 1-7 is World Breastfeeding Week. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life and continued breastfeeding with the addition of appropriate solid food for the first year and beyond.
Breastfeeding is a personal choice, but communities play a vital role in informing and supporting a mother’s decision to breastfeed her baby. Returning our communities to a breastfeeding-supportive culture will take efforts by family, friends, employers, educational institutions, hospitals and businesses.
“In light of the monetary and life-saving benefits of breastfeeding, all elements of the community must cooperate and support breastfeeding” said Jackie Mears, Wood County WIC director. “Ultimately our whole society benefits from having healthier mothers, babies and children when breastfeeding is promoted, protected and supported.”
For more information about breastfeeding, call Wood County WIC at 419-354-9661.
The mission of Wood County Health Department is to prevent disease, promote healthy lifestyles and protect the health of everyone in Wood County. Our Community Health Center provides comprehensive medical services for men, women and children. We welcome all patients, including uninsured or underinsured clients, regardless of their ability to pay, and we accept most third-party insurance. For more information, visit WoodCountyHealth.org
