The Henry and Stark County Health Department is working to raise awareness during World Breastfeeding Awareness Week, August 1st through August 7th. “The WIC and Case Management programs and Breastfeeding Peer Counselors of the Henry and Stark County Health Departments and First Choice Healthcare announce that August 1-7 has been proclaimed World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) and August has been proclaimed Breastfeeding Month. The theme for the 2023 Annual WBW celebration, honored by more than 120 countries worldwide, is “Enabling Breastfeeding: Making A Difference For Working Parents.” This year’s theme was chosen because workplace challenges remain the most common reason for women to never breastfeed or to stop breastfeeding earlier than recommended.”
Tara DeBlieck, Breastfeeding Peer Counselor with the Health Department, notes, “Benefits of breastfeeding are numerous, well known and research based. Babies who are breastfed are protected against respiratory and ear infections, asthma, allergies, childhood cancer, and obesity. Mothers who breastfeed have a decreased risk of breast and ovarian cancers, diabetes, hypertension and heart disease.”
In accordance with World Breastfeeding Week and Month, the Department WIC (Women, Infants and Children’s Supplemental Food Program) and Case Management staff notes that throughout Illinois, local WIC agencies work within their communities to get mothers and babies off a good start with breastfeeding. Continuing the education and counseling moms receive prenatally, WIC agencies work with area hospitals, healthcare providers, and local La Leche League Chapters to provide seamless support as moms come home from the hospital and transition back to work and school. In addition, through the statewide Breastfeeding Peer Counselor program, moms receive one-on-one support from experienced breastfeeding moms.
Adds DeBlieck, “What people have to remember is that there are so many benefits to breastfeeding. Even if new mothers are able to do it for only a short time, a baby’s immune system can benefit from breast milk. There are many other benefits of breast milk for a mother, her baby, and others:
BENEFITS FOR BABY:
* Breast milk is the most complete form of nutrition for infants. A mother’s milk has just the right amount of fat, sugar, water, and protein that is needed for a baby’s growth and development. Babies find it easier to digest breast milk than they do formula.
* Premature babies do better when breastfed compared to premature babies who are fed formula.
* Breastfed babies score slightly higher on IQ tests, especially babies who were born prematurely.
BENEFITS FOR MOM:
* Nursing uses up extra calories, making it easier to lose the pounds of pregnancy. It also helps the uterus to get back to its original size and lessens any bleeding a woman may have after giving birth.
* Breastfeeding lowers the risk of breast and ovarian cancers, and possibly the risk of hip fractures and osteoporosis after menopause.
* Breastfeeding makes your life easier. It saves time and money. You do not have to purchase, measure, and mix formula. There are no bottles to warm in the middle of the night!
* Breastfeeding can help a mother to bond with her baby. Physical contact is important to newborns and can help them feel more secure, warm and comforted.
For more information on breastfeeding call the Health Departments at (309) 852-5272; or visit our website at www.henrystarkhealth.com; or find us on Facebook at “Henry County Breastfeeding Peer Counselor.”
