Immediate Release
August 7, 2009
Batavia, Ohio. August is Breastfeeding Awareness Month in Ohio. “Besides the myriad of health benefits, breastfeeding provides protection against malnutrition and disease during natural disasters, emergencies, and economic downturns,” said Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Alvin D. Jackson. “Breast milk is a free, sterile, reliable food source for infants and young children; there have been many reported instances of children being kept alive during disasters by nursing. During an emergency, the breastfeeding mother has the comfort of knowing that her baby has a safe and adequate food supply available as long as necessary.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that Ohio’s breastfeeding initiation rate of 59.6 percent ranks 44th in the nation. The CDC recommends that communities should actively promote and support breastfeeding by:
· Encouraging all pregnant women and their families to consider how they would feed their baby if clean water, sterile bottles, and formula were not available
· Asking all delivery hospitals to institute the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, so that mothers who choose to breastfeed will have a better chance at being successful
· Encouraging all employers to offer their breastfeeding employees time and a clean place to pump
· Partnering with disaster preparedness groups and local lactation support professionals to develop infant feeding protocols that protect breastfeeding
“All elements of the community should cooperate and support breastfeeding mothers, so that babies can be assured of a free, safe, and reliable food source whenever disaster strikes.” said Breastfeeding Coordinator for the Clermont County WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) Program Stephanie Burke. “When breastfeeding is supported, our whole society benefits from having healthier mothers, babies, and children.” For more information about breastfeeding, call the Help Me Grow Helpline at 1-800-755-GROW or the Clermont County Women, Infants, and Children program at (513) 732-7329.
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For additional information about this or other county news, contact Clermont County Communications Director Kathryn Lehr at (513) 732-7597 or by e-mail, klehr@co.clermont.oh.us.