Breastfeeding is one of the most important ways to give your baby a healthy start in life. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life. The AAP recommends continuing breastfeeding for at least one year, or as long as mother and baby wish, and introducing solid foods once the baby is 6 months old.

Did you know these facts?

Breast milk has antibodies, enzymes, growth factors, hormones, probiotics, vitamins and minerals that change to meet the growing baby’s needs. Although vitamins, minerals and probiotics are added to some infant formulas, no infant formula can equal breast milk.

Research suggests that breastfeeding can lower infant’s risk of asthma, ear and respiratory infections, childhood obesity, Type II diabetes, eczema, gastrointestinal illnesses, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Mothers of infants born prematurely make milk with extra fat, protein, iron and antibodies. Premature babies who receive their mother’s milk or donor breast milk leave the hospital sooner, have greater brain development and are less likely to get dangerous infections.

Breastfeeding is also good for the mother. Breastfeeding helps a woman’s body recover from pregnancy and childbirth and helps her lose her baby weight. Mothers who breastfeed have a lowered risk of breast and ovarian cancers, Type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

World Breastfeeding Week is declared every year, Aug. 1-7. It is recognized and celebrated worldwide and is coordinated by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA). This year’s theme, “Breastfeeding: A Key to Sustainable Development,” focuses on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals aimed at ending poverty, protecting the planet and ensuring prosperity. According to WABA, breastfeeding plays a key role in all 17 goals, which falls under five themes:

Nutrition, Food Security and Poverty Reduction

Survival, Health and Well-being

Environment and Climate Change

Women’s productivity and employment

Sustainable partnerships and the rule of law

Breastfeeding is important and this year’s National Breastfeeding Week theme reminds us that breastfeeding contributes to our value and well-being from the very start of life. For more information about World Breastfeeding Week visit www.worldbreastfeedingweek.org.

There are many breastfeeding resources available to pregnant women and nursing mothers. Locally, the Beaufort County Public Health Department’s Women’s, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program promotes breastfeeding as the preferred method of infant nutrition. WIC also provides breastfeeding education and support to those who qualify. Breastfeeding is a primary focus of the WIC program. Breastfeeding education is provided to all prenatal women and continues after the baby is born, as long as the woman is breastfeeding. January-March 2016, Beaufort County WIC had an average of 36 women fully breastfeeding (breast milk only) and 63 women partially breastfeeding (breast milk and some amount of artificial milk/formula).

WIC is a federal nutrition program not only for pregnant and breastfeeding women but also for non-breastfeeding women, infants and children until they reach their fifth birthday. The WIC program offers more additional benefits beyond breastfeeding promotion and support.

Hailey Norris is a part-time breastfeeding peer counselor who works directly with women enrolled in WIC. Hailey is a mother who has breastfed her own children and offers one-on-one breastfeeding support to help and encourage mothers meet their own breastfeeding goals. She has completed specialized breastfeeding training and is currently providing supportive services to 45 women. Hailey can be reached at the Beaufort County Health Department by calling 252-946-9705. To find out more about WIC or to see if your family qualifies for WIC, you may also visit the Beaufort County Public Health Department or call 252-946-9705 for more information.