PROMOTING BREASTFEEDING ACCESS FOR WORKING MOMS FOCUS OF MONTH-LONG CAMPAIGN

GREEN COVE SPRINGS — This August, the Florida Department of Health in Clay County is celebrating National Breastfeeding Awareness Month. With staff presentations and the implementation of our new Breastfeeding support groups for post-partum mothers, Clay County is working to promote breastfeeding as a vital health activity and encourage breastfeeding-friendly work places, businesses and communities.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mothers who breastfeed their children are at a healthier weight on average than those who do not. They also have a lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, breast and ovarian cancer. Children who are breastfed have a lower risk for developing respiratory and gastrointestinal infections, asthma, obesity, Type 2 diabetes and SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).

In recognition of World Breastfeeding the Florida Department of Health in Clay County’s WIC staff will provide a presentation on lactation policies in the work environment and various awards and criteria for breastfeeding friendly environments. Effective August 1, 2015, WIC will host a weekly Lactation Club group for post-partum women. WIC also implemented a Spanish language breastfeeding class to improve the participation of the Spanish speaking population.

To reach the goal of exclusive breastfeeding for at least six months, mothers need supportive maternity leave policies, flexible work hours, infant and child-care at or near the workplace, and private facilities for expressing and storing breastmilk. It takes time and practice to learn how to breastfeed, both for mother and baby, and to establish a good milk supply. 

For more information on the Florida Breastfeeding Coalition's Quality Maternity Care Initiative, visit: http://flbreastfeeding.org/hospital.htm.

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Healthiest Weight Florida is a public-private collaboration bringing together state agencies, nonprofit organizations, businesses and entire communities to help Florida's children and adults make consistent, informed choices about healthy eating and active living. To learn more about how to be active and make nutritious food choices visit www.healthiestweightflorida.com.

The department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts. Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.floridahealth.gov.