Marion Public Health is highlighting the benefits of breastfeeding during August, which is National Breastfeeding Month. A new program to encourage breastfeeding was recently launched and there is a special event being held, in partnership with Marion General Hospital, on Tuesday, August 3.
The following was submitted by Marion Public Health.
Families are always looking for a great bargain. From clipping coupons to the discount rack at your favorite store and no bargain can measure up to the priceless gift of a mother’s own breast milk.
Through the Marion County Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program there is a Special Supplemental Nutrition Program that offers support and encourages breastfeeding and proper nutrition. WIC provides assistance to income eligible pregnant and breastfeeding women, women who recently had a baby and infants and children up to five years of age who are at health risks due to inadequate nutrition. The program improves pregnancy outcomes by providing support and referring to services necessary for full-term pregnancies. The ultimate goal of the program is to help reduce infant mortality by decreasing the incidence of low birth weights and provide infants and children with a healthy start in life by improving poor or inadequate diets.
In today’s struggling economy, many American families are doing two things, continuing to grow and making sacrifices. With the help of WIC, families are provided supplemental, highly nutritious foods such as: cereal, eggs, milk, whole grain foods, fruits and vegetables, and iron-fortified infant formula. Nutrition education, breastfeeding education and support, referral to prenatal and pediatric health care and other maternal and child health and human service programs are available as well.
Every mom deserves someone they can feel comfortable communicating with no matter what the circumstances. From achievements and excitement to failures and disappointment, a mother needs a shoulder to lean on. WIC understands the importance of having a peer available who has been through some of the same obstacles to be able to relate to situations and provide guidance. In March 2010, Marion County WIC implemented a Peer Helper Program that was filled by Brandy Meginness and Krystal Siler. They are both breastfeeding mothers and WIC participants. The main reason this program was established was to promote and educate women on the importance of breastfeeding while providing support and answering questions. Breast feeding is a way to protect a precious baby from having a higher risk of diabetes, ear infection, H1N1, allergies, asthma, being obese, and dying from SIDS all on top of saving over $1000 a year on formula.
The WIC Peer helpers play a major role in influencing pregnant women to give their baby a healthy start. Some of the peers responsibilities are but not limited to the following: meet with every expecting and breastfeeding mom on the program and establish a friendly relationship, mentor, issue free breast pumps, provide solutions for challenging situations and emotional support, attend training classes, refer clients to lactation specialists and health professionals, make follow up phone calls and home visits to check on the mother and infant and help promote breastfeeding in the community.
The percent of postpartum nursing women on Marion WIC is 20% as of July 1st 2010. We hope to see a drastic change by 2011 as we host events and continue to promote this gift that only a mother can provide to a child. In order for this to be a success, we know we will need the support of the community.
With National Breastfeeding Awareness Month in August, WIC is partnering with Marion General Hospital and hosting a baby friendly celebration on August 3rd from 5-6:30 at the Marion General Office and Conference Center located at 278 Barks Road W. We are inviting anyone in the community who is pregnant or breastfeeding along with their guests to join the fun. Businesses and anyone else who would like to help protect, support and promote breastfeeding is also welcome to attend. The celebration will include a discussion on the 10 steps to breastfeeding the “baby friendly way”, food, vendors and door prizes. We look forward to this event as our kick-off to creating a healthier community.
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