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World Breastfeeding Week

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

The Lake County Health Department’s Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition program will celebrate World Breastfeeding Week during their monthly breastfeeding support group meeting on Friday, August 6th. Meetings are held in the WIC office at the Umatilla Clinic located at 249 E. Collins Street in Umatilla and the public is welcome.

WIC provides vouchers for supplemental nutritious foods to qualified participants, as well as nutrition education and counseling, screening, and referrals to other health, welfare, and social services. In addition, a breastfeeding support group is held once per month to help pregnant women, as well as, women who are currently breastfeeding their baby, learn about the benefits of breastfeeding.

“Breastfeeding is free, while formula can be very expensive. We talk about the health benefits of breastfeeding for both them and their babies, as well as the economic advantages,” states Danica Poorbaugh, Nutrition Educator and Certified Lactation Counselor for the Lake County Health Department WIC Program.

When it comes to caring for a newborn baby, there are a lot of choices to make - the right pediatrician, the best diapers to use, or even which car seat to buy. Breastfeeding is the normal way to feed babies because it is made by Mom just for her baby. There are many benefits of breastfeeding compared to formula including:
* Babies who have been breastfed tend to have higher IQs and fewer learning disabilities than babies who are not breastfed.
* Breastfed babies are at lower risk for SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) than babies who aren’t breastfed.
* Breastfed babies have a decreased risk for diabetes, allergies, ear infections, diarrhea, and asthma.
* Breastfeeding helps mom and baby bond with skin-to-skin nurturing.
* Studies show that breastfed babies are less likely to be overweight or obese as children and adults.
* Women who breastfeed have a decreased risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
Working mothers who wish to continue breastfeeding can avoid using formula by expressing their milk and saving it for their babies to have while they’re at work. “We teach them how to use a breast pump and safely store their milk,” says Poorbaugh.
“Breastfeeding has many benefits for Mom,” states Poorbaugh. Producing breast milk burns a lot of calories, and Moms who breastfeed tend to lose their pregnancy weight more quickly than those who choose formula. Breastfeeding helps moms create memories that can last a lifetime.
World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated in 120 countries the first week of August in honor of the signing of an international declaration in 1981 to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding. The celebration at the Umatilla WIC office on August 6th will include information packets and videos about breastfeeding. In addition, a Certified Lactation Counselor will be available to answer any specific breastfeeding questions.
For more information regarding the event or monthly support group meetings, please contact the WIC office at 352-771-5566.