Lawrence County Health Department celebrates breastfeeding families
August 1-7 is National WIC Breastfeeding Week and also World Breastfeeding Week.
This week, the Lawrence County Health Department celebrates breastfeeding families. We want to remind you of our WIC breastfeeding services. When a pregnant woman signs up for WIC in Lawrence County, she gets breastfeeding education and will be offered additional breastfeeding services by Tiffany Fitch, WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor.
Tiffany is available to share the benefits of breastfeeding, have classes upon request, and to answer questions WIC families may have about breastfeeding. With this knowledge, a mother is able to make an informed decision about feeding her baby. After delivery, if a WIC mother chooses to breastfeed, Tiffany will keep in contact and be available for any reassurance, tips and information. WIC and the Peer Counselor can also support breastfeeding mothers and their families with tips on how to talk with family members, doctors, and employers; assistance with obtaining a breast pump if needed and information on proper use; education on breast milk storage and handling; and share information for employers on complying with state and federal laws such as the break time requirement for nursing mothers.
World Breastfeeding Week is also celebrated Aug. 1-7. Each year a different theme is chosen.
This year, the theme of World Breastfeeding Week is “Breastfeeding: A Key to
Sustainable Development.” This coordinates with the United Nations17 Sustainable Development Goals aimed at ending poverty and protecting the planet. Breastfeeding is related to sustainability in many ways and can contribute toward achieving each of these 17 goals, particularly through better nutrition, food security, improved health, and positive environmental impact. Please visit www.worldbreastfeedingweek.org to view these 17 goals and how breastfeeding can help achieve each one.
Please celebrate with us World Breastfeeding Week, National WIC Breastfeeding Week, and even National Breastfeeding Awareness Month throughout August. We thank you, our community, for all of your support of breastfeeding. For more information on WIC and/or breastfeeding, you can call the Lawrence County Health Department at 606-638-9500.
