Foundation of Life

In a world filled with inequalities, crises and poverty, breastfeeding is the foundation of lifelong good health for babies and mothers.  Breastfeeding is a universal solution that gives everyone a fair start in life and lays the foundation for good health and survival of children and women. 

Celebrated every August around the world, World Breastfeeding Week’s 2018 slogan is “Breastfeeding: Foundation of Life.”  The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action, whose focus is to “Protect, Promote and Support Breastfeeding Worldwide,” states that breastfeeding prevents hunger and malnutrition in all its forms and ensures food security for babies, even in times of crises.  And, with no additional burden on household income, breastfeeding is a low-cost way of feeding babies and contributes to poverty reduction.

The World Health Organization also promotes breastfeeding as the normal way of providing infants with the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development. Colostrum, the yellowish, sticky breast milk produced at the end of pregnancy and right after delivery, is recommended by WHO as the perfect food for the newborn, and feeding should be initiated within the first hour after birth.

Breast milk is perfectly designed for the child’s nutritional and immunological needs.  Breastfeeding is known as the natural and optimal way of feeding babies, and promotes bonding between mother and infant. Plus, there is strong evidence that optimal or exclusive breastfeeding has many lifelong positive health effects.  For the mother it helps with birth spacing, reduces risk of breast and ovarian cancers, and lowers the risk of hypertension.  For the infant it can combat infectious diseases, decreases incidence and severity of diarrhea, lowers respiratory infections and acute middle ear infections, prevents dental cavities, and increases intelligence.

Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended by not only the WHO and WABA, but also the American Academy of Pediatrics and other experts, for up to 6 months of age, with continued breastfeeding along with complementary age appropriate baby foods up to two years of age or beyond. Virtually all mothers can breastfeed, according to WHO, provided they have accurate information, and the support of their family, the health care system and society at large. Support can be in the form of giving reassurance, praise, information, and the opportunity for women to discuss problems and ask questions as needed. 

At the Livingston County Health Center, we offer support to all breastfeeding families in our community.  Upon request, we can provide infant weight checks, consultations with both a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor and Lactation Consultant, a monthly support group, and on August 14 from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at the Health Center Conference Room, we are hosting a community Baby Shower for Mom’s To-Be (prenatals) and breastfeeding moms.  We will be providing a light meal with dessert, and lots of door prizes and give-aways.  Every participant will receive a pack of diapers just for attending.  We will have vendors from the community here to offer information about the services and support they provide for Mom’s and new babies.  Missouri Care will provide a short informational talk on some of the great benefits they offer to expectant mothers and new babies.  It will be a fun, supportive event! 

For more information about our breastfeeding services or our upcoming Baby Shower event or to register for the event, please call 660-646-5506 or sign up on the Livingston County Health Center Facebook site by August 3, 2018.