Chillicothe named one of Missouri's "Breastfeeding Friendly Cities"

The City of Chillicothe recently learned it has been awarded the Missouri Department of Health's "Breastfeeding Friendly Worksite Award" and named one of Missouri’s “Breastfeeding Friendly Cities.”  Chillicothe is the fourth municipality in the state to receive the honor, joining Springfield, Joplin and Jefferson City.

The Livingston County Health Center used monies from the Missouri Department of Health Maternal Child Health Section to purchase hospital-grade Medela breast pumps and pumping kits for the City of Chillicothe.  The pump and kits will be available to be used throughout the city departments including City Hall, Fire Station, Police Station, Green Hills Golf Course, and the Parks and Street Department.  Seven other local businesses have participated in the program and received the award.

Haleigh Heldenbrand, assistant to City Manager Ike Holland, applied for the Missouri Breastfeeding Friendly Business and was awarded the Silver Award by the State of Missouri.  Livingston County Health Center would like to congratulate the City of Chillicothe on their hard work and dedication to the health of our city and the support of their breastfeeding employees.

"The award is given to employers who are friendly to those who are breast feeding. It's not only employee-friendly, but family-friendly," said Anita Perry, RN, IBCLC and coordinator of the Livingston County Health Center’s Breastfeeding Support Program.

“Receiving this award is not just the result of providing a quiet place to pump or nurse for staff. Creating a culture of support to women who wish to nurse is very important to long term success of breastfeeding, and we truly commend our local businesses who have taken steps to support local families,” said Perry.

“About 77 percent of women initiate breast feeding. The problem is it's very difficult to sustain, especially when rejoining the workforce.  It takes a team, and yes, a village effort to do the things required to have a successful breastfeeding experience.” 

Chillicothe also boasts seven businesses who have taken steps to become a “Breastfeeding Welcomed Here Business.”  To obtain this designation, the business and its employees confirm that they have a welcoming and friendly attitude toward mothers who come into their business or store and need to nurse their baby/child.  They provide a chair or booth in a quiet or private area such as a corner or dressing room where the mother can nurse her child. 

If you are a business that would like to become designated as breastfeeding friendly, you can fill out an application at our website 

www.livcohealthcenter.com under the tab “breastfeeding” or call the health center at 646-5506 for more information.

“Breastfeeding: A Winning Goal-For Life” Kicked off August 1st

Celebrated every year in more than 170 countries, World Breastfeeding Week aims to encourage breastfeeding and improve the health of babies around the world.  World Breastfeeding Week will be celebrated this year, August 1-7, 2014.  This year’s theme acknowledges that when mothers and babies succeed in their breastfeeding plans, they can enjoy a lifetime of benefits.

Livingston County Health Center, a Breastfeeding Friendly WIC Clinic, offers a wide range of services for breastfeeding mom’s and families in our community. We have a private nursing nook that mothers can feed their babies in if they are out and about or after shots. We also offer breast pumps to moms that are on WIC, and with the Maternal Healthy Children Grant we are now also able to rent pumps, for a nominal fee, to breastfeeding mom’s in our community that are not on the WIC program.

Anita Perry, RN, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant leads the Breastfeeding Support Program at the health center.  She has steadily added services and improvements to our offerings through various grants.  The health center offers a breastfeeding class at the health center and also at Hedrick Medical Center on a regular monthly basis.

Thanks to mini grants through the state WIC (Women, Infants & Children Program) several local businesses have taken steps to become designated as breastfeeding friendly worksites by setting up a lactation room for their employees and having a supportive atmosphere at the business.

Hospital grade breast pumps are available on loan to both WIC participants and local residents, to encourage mothers to keep breastfeeding after returning to work.

Breastfeeding Peer Counselors, Rachel Snider and Amanda Kline work closely with WIC participants and meets with each mom and family several times during their pregnancy.  In talking with the moms and families, they teach not only about the benefits of breastfeeding, but also many of the helpful hints and techniques of the “how” to breastfeed. 

To celebrate Breastfeeding Awareness, the Health Center is also doing its annual media awareness campaign featuring local breastfeeding moms and their babies. 

A group of local breastfeeding moms organized a “Normalizing Nursing in Public” event at the Chillicothe Farmer’s Market on Saturday, August 2^nd.   Thousands of breastfeeding women and their babies/children across the world gather in their own communities to take part a synchronized breastfeeding each year.  

The health center’s Breastfeeding Support Group is also hosting a movie premiere of “The Milky Way” on Saturday, August 9^th at the health center.  Guests should arrive at 6 and the movie will begin at 6:30. There will be popcorn, snacks, drinks & door prizes for those who attend.

We are excited to be a part of our community’s breastfeeding support services. If you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to call Anita Perry, RN, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and Rachel Snider WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor and Certified Breastfeeding Educator or Amanda Kline, Breastfeeding Peer Counselor.

Anyone who would like more information about the health center’s Breastfeeding Support Program should call 646-5506 and ask to speak to Anita Perry.