THE ROAD TO LIFELONG HEALTH BEGINS WITH BREASTFEEDING
The United States and Mexico have the highest rates of obesity. Poor feeding practices can lead to malnutrition, poor health, and even obesity. Breastfeeding can help reduce this risk because there is a strong link between a mother’s nutrition and health and that of her baby.
Research shows that a baby not getting 6 months of breast milk has a higher chance of having ear infections, diarrhea, asthma, SIDS, and respiratory illness. Also mothers who do not breastfeed raise their risk of getting breast cancer and ovarian cancer.
August is BREASTFEEDING AWARENESS MONTH highlighting the benefits of mother’s milk for a baby’s growth and the positive impacts on mother and family. Successful breastfeeding begins with the support of families, health care providers, governments, employers and communities.
Globally, with the commitments of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) lending support, the health benefits of breastfeeding are being celebrated this year with the theme “THE ROAD TO LIFELONG HEALTH BEGINS WITH BREASTFEEDING.”
For more information about World Breastfeeding Month (BAM) or IBCLCs, visit the ILCA website at
www.ILCA.org. To learn more about World Breastfeeding Month activities planned in your
community contact the Darke County WIC office at 547-1776.