Celebrating Breastfeeding Awareness Month

August is Breastfeeding Awareness Month, and from August 1-7, World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated. This annual observance not only serves to celebrate the beauty and benefits of breastfeeding but also aims to educate, support, and empower breastfeeding families worldwide.

The Importance of Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is more than just a means of providing nutrition; it is a fundamental aspect of maternal and infant health. Breast milk is uniquely tailored to meet the nutritional needs of a growing baby, providing essential antibodies, enzymes, and hormones that support their immune system and overall development. Research consistently highlights its role in reducing the risk of respiratory illnesses, ear infections, allergies, and even certain cancers for infants. Simultaneously, mothers who breastfeed experience lower risks of breast and ovarian cancers, diabetes, and postpartum depression. A woman’s early experience with breastfeeding can affect whether and how long she continues to breastfeed, and providing support at every level can help reduce barriers to breastfeeding.

Supporting Breastfeeding: A Community Effort

Governments and communities play a pivotal role in raising awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding and in supporting breastfeeding mothers. In Ohio, Governor Mike DeWine and Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted have officially proclaimed August as Ohio Breastfeeding Awareness Month. Ohio will adopt the World Breastfeeding Week theme of “Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All.” This initiative aims to address disparities in breastfeeding support, particularly during emergencies and crises.

Educational and Support Initiatives

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, followed by continued breastfeeding alongside complementary foods for at least two years. Achieving these recommendations often requires community support.

Programs like Ohio’s Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program offer prenatal education and access to lactation professionals to help families make informed infant feeding decisions and navigate breastfeeding challenges. Businesses and childcare centers also play crucial roles by fostering environments where breastfeeding is welcomed and supported. Businesses can show their support by placing a universal sign for breastfeeding support in their windows and educating their staff about the acceptance of Ohio law (Section 3781.55 of the Ohio Revised Code), which allows breastfeeding in public. The Ohio Workplace PLUS Toolkit assists businesses in accommodating lactating employees and providing a private space (other than a bathroom) to pump. This will help increase employee retention and reduce medical costs. Childcare centers can obtain breastfeeding-friendly designations by undergoing training and implementing supportive breastfeeding practices. These programs play an important role in supporting breastfeeding families by welcoming breastfeeding mothers and making sure staff members are trained to handle breast milk and follow mothers’ feeding plans. Hospitals also can join the Ohio First Steps for Healthy Babies initiative as an indication that they are dedicated to supporting new mothers who choose to breastfeed. Learn more about all of these initiatives and resources at https://odh.ohio.gov/know-our-programs/Breastfeeding.

World Breastfeeding Week Celebration

On August 6, 2024, pregnant and breastfeeding (breast and bottle feeding) families were invited to attend the Wood County WIC World Breastfeeding Week Celebration at BG City Park from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. The event was hosted by Wood County WIC and was held at the Masonic Stone Shelter. At the event, families were able to connect with breastfeeding advocates and other families in the community to celebrate their breastfeeding journeys. Attendees also enjoyed breastfeeding support items, light food and refreshments, mommy and me photos, community resources, prize drawings, and breastfeeding-themed games. There were 34 people in attendance and we also had representatives from Help Me Grow, HerChoice Pregnancy Center and Humana that provided programmatic information and giveaways. Without the support of the community, events like this would not be such a success.

Raising Awareness and Taking Action

Raising awareness about breastfeeding involves community-wide efforts. Wood County families can access resources and support through Wood County WIC by contacting the office at 419-354-9661. Another resource to utilize is the Ohio Statewide Breastfeeding Hotline (1-888-588-3423), which offers 24/7 support from lactation professionals by phone and text. By promoting education, advocacy, and inclusivity, communities can empower mothers to breastfeed confidently and create environments where breastfeeding is normalized and supported.