March 19, 2024

World Breastfeeding Week planned

Between Aug. 1-7, breastfeeding advocates in more than 175 countries worldwide will celebrate World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) with the theme, “Breastfeeding: A Winning Goal-for Life!”

Locally, MATURA Action Corporation’s WIC breastfeeding peer counselors will kick off this week with a get together in Creston.

“We’re hosting a reunion of all past, present and future breastfeeding moms and families to recognize the amazing contribution these ladies have made to the health of the next generation,” said Karla Hynes, WIC/MCH director.

The event will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, at 1the Creston WIC office located at 210 Russell St. A baby photo contest will be held, snacks will be served and a special gift will be provided to all who attend.

“Our breastfeeding peer counselor program is essentially moms helping moms. That’s why we are inviting everyone who has ever breastfed to attend this reunion. If you’ve had a successful breastfeeding experience, whether it was two years ago or 20 years ago, you have a wealth of knowledge that you can share with someone who is considering this option,” Hynes said.

The reunion will also kick-off the restructured breastfeeding support group, currently known as “Breastfeeding 101.”

“In examining the format of our class, we realized our current structure simply instructed about breastfeeding; it did nothing to introduce mothers to mothers. We want the class to be a mother-led support group, not just an educational class,” Hynes said.

According to Hynes, changing the class format helps sustain the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding by aligning more closely with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) set in 1990 by the United Nations to fight poverty and promote healthy and sustainable development.

“The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) recommends engaging as many groups and people of various ages as possible on the issue of breastfeeding. We all know breast milk is the perfect food for newborns, it also provides tremendous benefits to the mom and the baby, as well as the family and community,” Hynes said.

World Breastfeeding Week was launched 22 years ago by WABA to focus and facilitate actions to protect, promote and support breastfeeding. For more information contact WIC at 641-202-7114.

WIC is a supplemental nutrition program for babies, children under the age of five, pregnant women, breastfeeding women and women who have had a baby in the last 6 months. WIC helps families by providing healthy foods, nutrition education and referrals to other health care agencies. The local WIC agency is managed by MATURA Action Corporation.