World Breastfeeding Week

August 1-7, 2015

Every August, ITCA WIC highlights the importance of promoting, protecting, and supporting breastfeeding by celebrating World Breastfeeding Week and National Breastfeeding Month. The theme this year is Breastfeeding and Work – Let’s Make it Work! The theme is focused on recognizing and promoting lactation support in the work place.

Worldwide, more than 170 countries celebrate World Breastfeeding Week. At the community level, ITCA WIC clinics will be hosting health fairs, community walking and running events, and breastfeeding talking circles. Activities and events will help spread awareness about the importance of breastfeeding and the risks of not breastfeeding, along with supporting moms in the workplace.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, both babies and mothers gain many benefits from breastfeeding. Human milk provides the most complete form of nutrition for infants. Breast milk is easy to digest and offers breastfeeding infants protection against bacterial and viral infections. Research indicates that women who breastfeed may have lower rates of certain breast and ovarian cancers. Breastfeeding also helps mother’s health and healing following childbirth.

For more information about ITCA WIC’s support of World Breastfeeding Week or a local agency’s planned activities, please contact Claresa Bedonie at (602)-307-1510, or email claresa.bedonie@itcaonline.com. For more information and ideas on how to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week 2015, visit http://worldbreastfeedingweek.org/.

United States Department of Agricultural (USDA) National Breastfeeding Week Proclamation