Community Breastfeeding Support is Essential

Bridgeport CT

04 August, 2020

11:41 AM

Description

August is National Breastfeeding Month, with this year's theme being, "Many Voices United." Now, is the time for maternal and child health advocates across the state to come together to identify and implement policy, systems, and environmental changes within their communities to ensure that every family that chooses to breastfeed has the necessary resources and support to achieve their goals. The Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH), Trumbull Health Department, and local partners are working together to create breast-feeding friendly worksites throughout the state. All major health authorities including the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention agree that breast milk is the best source of nutrition for infants and recommend that infants be exclusively breastfed (receiving no other food or drink) for the first 6 months of life. Further, breastfeeding should continue along with appropriate complementary foods until the child is 1-2 years-old or longer. "The decision to breastfeed is a personal one," said Luci Bango, Trumbull Health Department Director of Health. "Expecting mothers who choose to breastfeed should feel comfortable knowing they have the resources and support of their employers and their community." Breastfeeding provides numerous and well documented health benefits, including infant protection from a variety of diseases and conditions such as: diarrhea ear infections urinary tract infection type 1 and type 2 diabetes lymphoma, leukemia, and Hodgkin's disease childhood overweight and obesity Mothers also experience improved health outcomes, including protection against the development of Type 2 Diabetes, lowered risk of developing breast and ovarian cancers, and reduced risk of early menopause, which has been associated with cardiovascular disease, a leading cause of death. Though benefits of breastfeeding are clear, the ability to meet national breastfeeding recommendations is largely dependent upon the support systems within a family's community. In Connecticut, over 86% of infants are breastfed at birth but that number drops to only 59.6% at 6 months of age. Breastfeeding families need more support. The CT Breastfeeding Coalition, DPH, and their partners launched The Breastfeeding: It's Worth It! campaign to increase breastfeeding initiation and duration rates and to reduce the barriers in the environment, including institutions that cause women to stop breastfeeding before they are ready. The campaign centers on several key themes, including the importance of planning ahead, evidence-based maternity care practices, support from the community including childcare providers, and returning to work. When employers and childcare providers implement supportive breastfeeding policies and practices, our state's community support system is strengthened, and everyone succeeds. Employers benefit from reduced employee absenteeism, lower health care costs, and increased employee loyalty. Childcare providers see more infants who are less prone to spitting up, are sick less often, are less likely to have constipation or diarrhea, and their programs are sought out by breastfeeding families. Families receive the health benefits, cost savings, and the opportunity to enjoy the special bond of breastfeeding even when separations are necessary. The Connecticut Breastfeeding Coalition (CBC) in partnership with the Connecticut Department of Public Health, work on various infrastructure and breastfeeding advocacy issues and hold monthly membership meetings. Visit https://www.breastfeedingct.org/index.html to find out about specific virtual meeting times or contact Monica Belyea [email protected]. Employers and childcare providers can learn more about becoming "Breastfeeding-Friendly" at https://www.breastfeedingct.org/. To learn more about how you can support breastfeeding in your community, please visit the It's Worth It! CT website at itsworthitct.org and follow the campaign at https://www.facebook.com/breastfeedingct/. #### The Trumbull Health Department is committed to improving the quality of life for all it serves through the promotion of health, prevention of disease, and by assuring a safe and clean environment for our residents. For more information about the Trumbull Health Department call 203-452-1030 or visit www.trumbull-ct.gov/THD.