Each year in August, Green County Public Health celebrates National Breastfeeding Month. In 2022, the Green County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution proposed by the Green County Board of Health, declaring August as Green County Breastfeeding Month. This year, Green County Public Health is celebrating Breastfeeding Month with the theme, “Our Community Grows by Supporting Breastfeeding,” and we are highlighting and celebrating the importance of breastfeeding and informing community members of the breastfeeding resources available here in Green County.
There are numerous health benefits to breastfeeding. Breastmilk has all the essential nutrients a baby needs to grow, it is easy for babies to digest, the cost is free, and it is always ready without the need for preparation. Babies who are breastfed have reduced risks for diabetes, asthma, ear infections, and respiratory infections. Breastfeeding has benefits for mothers, too, it can decrease the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, as well as breast and ovarian cancers. Additionally, breastfeeding can help mothers heal faster after delivery, increase relaxation, and help strengthen the bond with their baby.
Community members can visit our office located in the Green County Governmental Services Building on Highway 81 to check out a window display created by our staff, featuring a tree with breastfeeding stories and photos from local families. Each breastfeeding journey is unique, and these stories highlight many different experiences of breastfeeding. The stories featured include the benefits that breastfeeding can have not just for the baby or the family but also for the entire community, breastfeeding challenges moms overcame, and how breastfeeding parents felt supported by others. One mom featured in the display shared that her workplace was very supportive, “My workplace and co-workers allowed me the flexibility in my schedule, and no one made comments about me expressing milk during meetings.”
Going back to work after having a baby can be tough, but employers can be a system of support, and Green County Public Health has a toolkit that can help employers do just that. This month we rolled out our newly updated Breastfeeding Friendly Employer Toolkit for businesses, employers, and workplaces. This toolkit outlines the important role employers can play in the success of breastfeeding employees and the return on investment for supporting breastfeeding employees. The toolkit also includes best practices, a sample lactation policy, and a checklist for employers to assess how breastfeeding-friendly they are. Visit the Green County Public Health website to access the toolkit: wi-greencounty.civicplus.com/404/Resources
In addition to these exciting National Breastfeeding Month celebrations, Green County Public Health promotes breastfeeding through education and is there to offer support to any community member who needs it year-round. Lactation services are available at no charge and without any income requirements. Our department has three Certified Lactation Counselors (CLCs) who can work with breastfeeding moms who want assistance. One mom featured on our display shared, “My advice to new moms who want to breastfeed is to seek out a good support system and find a good lactation counselor who can give advice if something isn’t going well.” To schedule a lactation appointment, community members can call (608) 328-9390. Additionally, Parents who are enrolled in the Green County Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program through Green County Public Health also have access to our WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor, another breastfeeding mom who can provide advice and encouragement on breastfeeding. To learn more about WIC, community members can contact Green County Public Health at the same phone number listed above or visit our website, wi-greencounty.civicplus.com/382/Breastfeeding.
Green County Public Health also coordinates the Green County Breastfeeding Collaborative, a group of moms, healthcare providers, and community organizations working to promote, support, and protect breastfeeding. Over the years, this group has worked on several projects to benefit breastfeeding in the community, including developing a breastfeeding resource guide for community members. To check out the resource guide, visit the Green County Public Health website: wi-greencounty.civicplus.com/382/Breastfeeding.
Support from friends, family, and community is essential for breastfeeding success, as another mom featured in the display said, “My family was very supportive of my breastfeeding journey”. Green County community members can participate in National Breastfeeding Month and celebrate breastfeeding every month by taking the following actions:
● Share your positive experiences and how you overcame breastfeeding challenges with others.
● When sharing tips on breastfeeding with others, use information from reliable sources and direct those in need of lactation assistance to the breastfeeding resource guide.
● Participate in events and activities in the community that promote and support breastfeeding.
● Encourage your employer to create and maintain dedicated breastfeeding-friendly spaces.
● Advocate government and public places to establish breastfeeding-friendly spaces that normalize breastfeeding in public.
— Bridget Zimmerman is the Public Health Educator for the Green County Public Health Department and can be reached at bzimmerman@greencountywi.org or 608-328-9509.
