(Submitted by the Wood County Health District)
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.
Wood County Health District is reminding families of the benefits of breastfeeding during Breastfeeding Awareness Month.
This year’s theme, “Breastfeeding: It’s a TEAM thing!” is intended to promote the supporting role in successful breastfeeding. Research shows that if a mother’s breastfeeding efforts are supported, she is more likely to give it a try, and more likely to keep going even if things get tough.
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. Research suggests breastfeeding is a way to lower the risk of infections and diseases for both mothers and their babies. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that Ohio’s 2016 breastfeeding rate of 77.7 percent ranks 38th in the nation.
“In light of the monetary and lifesaving benefits of breastfeeding, all elements of the community must cooperate and support breastfeeding. Ultimately, our whole society benefits from having healthier mothers, babies and children when breastfeeding is promoted, protected and supported,” said Jackie Mears, director of Wood County’s Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program.
One of the most important things the community can do is to allow mothers to feel comfortable nursing in public. Hungry babies need to eat, and Ohio law allows breastfeeding in public. Businesses can show their support by placing the “Breastfeeding Welcome Here” universal sign for breastfeeding in their windows and educating their employees on the acceptance of breastfeeding in their establishments. They can also encourage their employees and provide a private space to pump, other than a bathroom. This will increase employee retention and reduce medical costs.
Hospitals can adopt the “Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding” to show they are dedicated to supporting new mothers who choose to breastfeed. By eliminating formula gifts to breastfeeding mothers, they send the message that they believe mothers can make enough milk to breastfeed exclusively.
Educational institutions can support breastfeeding by presenting age-appropriate information on anatomy and physiology. County fairs can teach young children about how other mammals feed their young with milk that is made just for them. Childcare providers and libraries can stock children’s books that show breastfeeding as a normal part of family life. Social media can provide support to breastfeeding mothers through Facebook and Twitter. Breastfeeding mothers can reach out through groups and chatrooms to get the support they need to feel normal in a formula-feeding culture.
For more information about breastfeeding in Wood County, please call the Help Me Grow Helpline at 1-800-755- GROW or Wood County WIC at 419-354- 9661.
The mission of Wood County Health District is to prevent disease, promote healthy lifestyles and protect the health of everyone in Wood County. Our Community Health and Wellness 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 www.woodcountyhealth.org
