WIC to mark National Breastfeeding Month
Celebrations and seminars set for breastfeeding mothers
VISALIA — Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers who are enrolled in Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) will enjoy snacks, bingo, games, and more during the WIC breastfeeding receptions during the month of August as WIC honors National Breastfeeding Month and seeks to normalize breastfeeding in the community.
VISALIA — Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers who are enrolled in Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) will enjoy snacks, bingo, games, and more during the WIC breastfeeding receptions during the month of August as WIC honors National Breastfeeding Month and seeks to normalize breastfeeding in the community.
WIC is also providing an all-day seminar on the art and science of making milk for Kings and Tulare County WIC staff, providers, physicians, nurses, dietitians, and interested members of the community.
World Breastfeeding week is Aug. 1-7 and the month of August is National Breastfeeding Month. Breastfeeding has an important place in our public health and provides several benefits to mothers and babies such as relationship building and preventative health. Mothers who breastfeed have a lowered risk of breast, uterine, and ovarian cancers, heart disease, and diabetes type II. Among children, it lowers the risk of several infections, leukemia, obesity, diabetes, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Breastmilk has well over 200 components, many of which artificial baby milks cannot duplicate.
According to the Maternal and Infant Health Assessment Survey by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), Tulare County’s exclusive breastfeeding rate upon birth is 51.6 percent, while the rate decreases to 22 percent by the time children reach three months of age. Tulare County WIC Clinics reach out to the community and promote breastfeeding awareness and partner with the three Tulare County hospitals to provide quality lactation support for mothers year round.
Receptions are to be held at local WIC offices throughout the month. Call the 1-800360-8840 for information on times for receptions.
Receptions will be held on Friday in Lindsay and Visalia and on Aug. 18 in Porterville. Similar receptions will be held in Farmersville, Earlimart and Tulare.
The all-day seminar on the art and science of making milk featuring Lisa Marasco, IBCLC, as speaker is to be held from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Aug. 23, at the Tulare County Office of Education Conference Center.
WIC is designed to help pregnant women, new mothers, and young children eat well and stay healthy. WIC provides nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to health care and social services and also provides special checks that can be used to buy nutritious foods at many local stores. Online nutrition education is also available. For more information about the HHSA WIC program, visit www.tchhsa.org/wic/.