The Florida Department of Health in Polk County (DOH-Polk) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is recognizing the 25^th anniversary of World Breastfeeding Week, August 1-7, 2017. World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated in over 120 countries worldwide and has a goal of promoting exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a baby’s life. This year's theme, Sustaining Breastfeeding Together, is about families, healthcare professionals, and employers working together to achieve this goal.

“We are committed to doing everything we can to help breastfeeding mothers meet the six-month goal of exclusive breastfeeding and to continue breastfeeding for at least the first year.  This helps to improve the overall health of our communities,” says Dr. Joy Jackson, DOH-Polk Director

Research confirms:

• Breastfed infants experience health benefits by receiving balanced nutrition, protection from common childhood infections, and improved survival during the first year, including a lower risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
• Early skin-to-skin contact may have emotional and physical benefits to mother and baby.
• Breastfeeding mothers reduce their future risk of diabetes, and breast and ovarian cancer, and are less likely to suffer from postpartum depression.  Breast feeding promotes better healing post-delivery and helps new moms reduce their weight more quickly.
• Breastfeeding can help reduce alarming health disparities for black and Hispanic infants
• The United States would save an estimated $13 billion per year if 90% of infants were breastfed exclusively for six months

Breastfeeding is a priority at Polk WIC. We have an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), an expert with a high level of specialized knowledge in breastfeeding available to assist clients. Breastfeeding Peer Counselors are WIC clients who have successfully breastfed their own babies and have received additional breastfeeding training. They provide breastfeeding education and support to pregnant and breastfeeding moms in our area and are available after hours. All WIC staff receive extensive breastfeeding training and annual updates. In DOH-Polk WIC, our current ever breastfed rate is 84.5%, which is higher than the state average of 81.6%. For more information about Polk WIC call 863-519-7542.

To enable mothers to reach the goal of exclusive breastfeeding for at least six months, the department is working to encourage breastfeeding friendly hospitals, child care facilities, work places, and communities.

• As part of the department’s Healthiest Weight Florida and Florida Healthy Babies initiatives, WIC is working with all three Polk birthing hospitals on their journey to achieving the Baby-Friendly designation. Baby-Friendly hospitals achieve the highest standard by utilizing evidence-based breastfeeding and infant feeding practices. To learn more visit http://www.healthiestweightflorida.com/activities/baby-steps.html
• DOH-Polk WIC is working with child care centers in Polk, encouraging them to achieve the Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care Center designation, a joint project of the Florida Department of Health and the Florida Breastfeeding Coalition. For more information see https://www.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/childrens-health/child-care-food-program/nutrition/feeding-infants.html
• The Department of Health in Polk is a Gold Level Breastfeeding Friendly Employer. We work to assist and encourage businesses in Polk to achieve this designation. For more information see http://www.flbreastfeeding.org/business-case-for-breastfeeding/

To learn more about World Breastfeeding Week and the benefits of breastfeeding visit http://worldbreastfeedingweek.org, www.usbreastfeeding.org, www.llli.org