Research proves it again and again: breast milk is the perfect food for babies. Breast milk is easier to digest, causing fewer upset stomachs. Breastfed babies get sick less often and are at less risk for respiratory infections, diabetes, obesity and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

The beginning of August marked the start of World Breastfeeding Week and World Breastfeeding Month in Kentucky, and this year’s theme was “Sustaining Breastfeeding Together”, which challenges communities to work together to make breastfeeding work.

During this month, Jessamine County’s Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program focused on giving breastfeeding mothers loving support in their decision to breastfeed.

The program’s goal was to urge mothers to breastfeed if possible and give them any support they may need, which was promoted through our social media sites and other communication methods.

The program also motivated dads, grandparents and friends to provide loving support, as new moms need support with breastfeeding and help with child care and household chores. Dad and other family members were encouraged to cuddle, bathe, diaper, play with baby, and show how proud they were of mother for giving baby his or her best start in life.

The program staff are very passionate about breastfeeding, and were recently awarded the national Gold Level Loving Support Award of Excellence for 2017 by the USDA for our breastfeeding promotion and support policies, procedures and documentation practices.

Organizers invite everyone to join in giving a breastfeeding mom your loving support by encouraging a new or expecting mom to ask her healthcare provider questions, attend breastfeeding classes, or talk with our WIC program Certified Lactation Counselors or Breastfeeding Peer Counselors, who are available to answer questions and help whenever needed.

By promoting breastfeeding, you will be making a wonderful investment in the health of your community!

Please contact Karen Fallon at 885-885-4149, or visit www.jessaminehealth.org for more information about the program.