inside washtenaw County Public Health

health: August is Breastfeeding Awareness Month - companies that support this healthy practice will be honored Aug. 12

By Washtenaw County Public Health AnnArbor.com Community Contributor

Posted on Wed, Aug 10, 2011 : 8 a.m.

Gayathri Akella

The Washtenaw County Breastfeeding Coalition is celebrating Breastfeeding Awareness Month on Aug. 12 at the Washtenaw County Public Health Department (WCPHD) main floor conference room. WCPHD is located at 555 Towner St. in Ypsilanti.

The celebration will kick off with the 2011 Workplace Lactation Support Awards starting at 9 a.m.

Awards Ceremony and Celebration:

9 a.m. — Workplace Lactation Support Awards ceremony.

Noon — “Breastfeeding from the Public Health Perspective.” Information open house for county employees.
1:30 p.m. — “Care for Moms.” Ice-cream social and educational event for expectant
moms, dads, grandparents and support persons. Includes booths and exhibits.

Scientific evidence reveals that babies who are not breastfed suffer more acute infectious diseases, including respiratory and gastrointestinal infections. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, studies also suggest that babies who are not breastfed are at higher risk for sudden infant death syndrome and serious chronic illnesses later in life, including asthma, diabetes, leukemia and some forms of lymphoma.

All major medical authorities recommend that babies get no other food or drink other than human milk for their first six months and continue to breastfeed for at least the first one to two years of life. However, only 12 percent of U.S. mothers are exclusively breastfeeding with no supplementation at six months, and only 21 percent are still breastfeeding in any amount at one year.

How employers can support breastfeeding

Work toward establishing paid maternity leave for all employed mothers.

Ensure that employers establish and maintain comprehensive, high quality lactation support programs for their employees.

Expand the use of programs in the workplace that allow lactating mothers to have direct access to their babies.

Ensure that all child care providers accomodate the needs of breastfeeding mothers and infants.

Anyone seeking information on breastfeeding or seeking help with workplace lactation support is encouraged to contact:

Gayathri Akella, MS, RD, CLE, IBCLC
Washtenaw County Breastfeeding Coordinator
Washtenaw County Breastfeeding Coalition (WCBC) Co-Chair
734-544-6794
akellag@ewashtenaw.org

Keleigh Lee
Washtenaw County Breastfeeding Coalition (WCBC) Co-Chair
734-218-0348
kelmlee@gmail.com