Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner has declared August 2018 as Breastfeeding Promotion Month in Illinois. The proclamation aims to increase public awareness of breastfeeding as the normal and expected way to feed all babies in Illinois. As well, breastfeeding advocates in more than 120 countries worldwide will celebrate World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7) with the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) theme “Breastfeeding: Foundation of Life.” Every year millions of people use this opportunity to take action to protect, promote and support Breastfeeding.
This year’s theme focuses on promoting Breastfeeding as a foundation for lifelong health by informing people about the links between good nutrition and a means of food security for infants. With no additional burden on the household income, Breastfeeding is a low cost way of feeding babies and contributing to lifelong health. You can find more information at www.worldbreastfeedingweek.org.
Throughout Illinois, local WIC agencies work within their communities to get mothers and babies off to a good start with breastfeeding. Continuing the education and counseling moms receive prenatally, WIC agencies work with their area hospitals to provide seamless support as moms come home from the hospital and transition back to work and school. Through the statewide Breastfeeding Peer Counselor program, moms receive one-on-one support from experienced breastfeeding moms. For information on the Will County Health Department’s WIC program, call 815-727-8524
The WCHD WIC program participated in the Friday August 3rd Global Big Latch On breastfeeding promotion at 10:30 AM. For more on this worldwide effort, call WCHD WIC, or go to https://biglatchon.org/
Throughout Illinois, local WIC agencies work within their communities to get mothers and babies off to a good start with breastfeeding. Continuing the education and counseling moms receive prenatally, WIC agencies work with their area hospitals to provide seamless support as moms come home from the hospital and transition back to work and school. Through the statewide Breastfeeding Peer Counselor program, moms receive one-on-one support from experienced breastfeeding moms.