July 31, 2024

This August, Barry-Eaton District Health Department (BEDHD) is celebrating National Breastfeeding Month, with the theme “Feeding the Future in Every Drop.” This theme illustrates how important breastfeeding is for families now and for future generations. National Breastfeeding Month is a time to acknowledge, empower, and celebrate families on their breastfeeding journeys. While breastfeeding is nationally celebrated every August, the benefits of breastfeeding have a lasting impact on families and communities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these benefits include:

1. Benefits for baby. Breastmilk is safe, clean, and contains antibodies that help protect against many childhood illnesses. Breastfed children do better on intelligence tests and also have a decreased risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), leukemia, celiac disease, and more!
2. Benefits for Parents. Breastfeeding strengthens the bond between parent and child. It also offers health benefits for individuals who breastfeed including a lower risk of developing breast cancer, ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure!
3. Benefits for businesses. Businesses that support breastfeeding tend to have lower staff turnover, higher job satisfaction, and increased productivity among workers!
4. Benefits for the community. Breastfeeding helps reduce waste and pollution by cutting down on the need for bottles and formula. Breastfed babies have lower chances of getting ill which means fewer doctor visits, hospitalizations, and less demand on healthcare services

As we celebrate Breastfeeding Awareness Month, we invite individuals, families, healthcare professionals, and the community to join us as we support “Feeding the Future in Every Drop”, helping families reach their breastfeeding goals, and empowering mothers to nourish the future generation. There are many ways that BEDHD empowers and supports breastfeeding moms, including:

• Baby Café: A FREE informal place where moms and families can ask breastfeeding questions, meet other moms, and receive professional lactation care and instruction from an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)!
• WIC: WIC can offer free breast pumps and supplies, breastfeeding support from a Peer Counselor, and access to an IBCLC for qualified individuals who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or caring for an infant or child under 5 (including dads, grandparents, or foster parents with custody).
• Breastfeeding Support Events: BEDHD is hosting breastfeeding support events on August 1st (Barry County) and 7th (Eaton County). These events will provide a supportive environment for women, families, and the community to celebrate and learn more about breastfeeding!

For more information about how BEDHD supports breastfeeding families and the upcoming breastfeeding support events, visit www.barryeatonhealth.org/breastfeeding/.