World Breastfeeding Awareness Month

TYLER — August is World Breastfeeding Month. The Northeast Texas Public Health District (NET Health) celebrates World Breastfeeding Month each year to encourage more women to breastfeed their babies exclusively until they are six months old and then supplement breastmilk with solid foods until the baby’s first birthday or longer. According to a statement from NET Health, “It makes your kids healthier and smarter. It boosts babies’ immune systems, guards them against childhood obesity and diabetes and may even protect infants from leukemia and asthma. It reduces women’s chance of breast cancer and burns as much as 600 calories a day. It’s free and available day and night.”

Currently, health officials say, about 75% of women in Texas initiate breastfeeding but only 11% are exclusively breastfeeding at six months. According to a 2009 survey, only 48% of moms enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children said they were able to breastfeed for as long as they wanted. The NET Health statement continues, “When it comes to breastfeeding, every ounce counts towards the health of mom and baby. That is why this year’s World Breastfeeding Month theme is Every Ounce Counts: Helping Moms Achieve their Breastfeeding Goals.”

You’re invited to join the NET Health WIC Department celebration of World Breastfeeding Month on August 12 at 815 N. Broadway in Tyler, from 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. The celebrations will continue, at various WIC clinics all over East Texas, through the month of August and are open to the entire community. The celebrations will include activities to teach expectant women, moms and family members how to help moms achieve their breastfeeding goals. For more information about World Breastfeeding Month, breastfeeding, and a list of celebration information, visit http://www.healthyeasttx.org or call the Northeast Texas Public Health District WIC Department at 903-535-0030.