August 15, 2006
The WIC staff along with Dr. Elizabeth Roll, Healthy Hearts Coordinator Angie Hochreiter, Optometrist Jason Hochreiter, WIC participant Rebecca Lupie, OB nurse Deborah, and Patricia Johnson, participated in the 4th of July parade in an effort to promote breastfeeding. The activity was a success, and we would like to extend our thanks to all who participated.
Breastfeeding: A Gift That Lasts A Lifetime
Healthcare professionals across the world recognize breastfeeding as the ideal way to feed an infant and place such high value on its important role in healthcare that the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) has designated the first week of August as World Breastfeeding week.
August 1 marks the anniversary of the signing of the Innocenti Declaration on the Protection, Promotion and Support of Breastfeeding, which was adopted in 1990 by 32 governments and 10 United Nations Agencies. The declaration states:
"As a global goal for optimal maternal and child health and nutrition, all women should be enabled to practice exclusive breastfeeding and all infants should be fed exclusively on breast milk from birth to four to six months of age. Thereafter, children should continue to breastfeed while receiving appropriate and adequate complementary foods for up to two year of age or beyond. This child feeding ideal is to be achieved by creating an appropriate environment of awareness and support so that women can benefit in this manner."
World Breastfeeding Week is part of WABA's ongoing campaign to increase public awareness of the importance of breastfeeding. LLLI (La Leche League International) celebrates World Breastfeeding Week by holding walks around the globe that raise awareness and funds to help in providing breastfeeding information, education and support that benefits mothers and babies.
One of our focuses here at WIC for this world breastfeeding month will be COLOSTRUM: Mother's First Breast Milk. Mothers start making colostrum during pregnancy. Colostrum is ready on baby's birthday.
Colostrum is concentrated food that comes in small amounts. New babies need small amounts of food often.
Healthy newborns do not need water, sugar water, or infant formula. They only need mother's colostrum.
Colostrum is miracle food because:
- It's perfect nutrition for babies, free and ready to use.
- It prepares baby's system for healthy digestion.
- It helps babies pass their first bowel movements.
- It's like free medicine.
- It's full of antibodies that fight germs.
- It builds immunity.
BREASTMILK: The Original Subsistence Food