Polk-Norman-Mahnomen Community Health Services (CHS) is celebrating Minnesota Breastfeeding Awareness Month in August and World Breastfeeding Week, August 1-7. This year’s theme focuses on “Breastfeeding: Foundation of Life.” The week helps
raise awareness of the importance of breastfeeding for promoting healthy babies, mothers, and communities and calls attention to local efforts that support breastfeeding.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, breastfeeding is the standard for infant feeding. It provides essential nutrients and antibodies that boost an infant’s immune system, providing protection from childhood illnesses. Babies who are not breastfed are more likely to develop common childhood illnesses like ear infections and diarrhea as well as chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, asthma and childhood obesity. “Breastfeeding helps children get off to a healthy start,” said Tammy Conn, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant at P-N-M CHS, “It’s the foundation of life.”
Breastfeeding is important for mothers, too. Women who breastfeed have a reduced risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and osteoporosis. Increasing exclusive breastfeeding rates is one of the goals outlined in the Healthy Minnesota 2020 framework to improve health and reduce health disparities across the state.
More than 89 percent of Minnesota moms start breastfeeding, but at 6 months that drops to 35 percent, according to the latest Centers for Disease Control Breastfeeding Report Card. Less than half of Minnesota infants are exclusively breastfed at 3 months. For WIC agencies: More than 81 percent of WIC moms began breastfeeding (in 2016), but at 6 months only 35 percent continue breastfeeding. Infants who receive formula in the hospital after birth are more likely to stop breastfeeding by 3 months (49 percent) than those who receive only breastmilk (26 percent). Challenges women face to meet their breastfeeding goals include those they experience in health care settings, worksites, and child care centers.
Thanks to the efforts by leadership within many organizations, that trend is changing in Minnesota. A growing number of healthcare, childcare, employers and health departments are working to address the barriers and make breastfeeding easier for new mothers. Locally, Polk-Norman-Mahnomen has worked with numerous entities to establish breastfeeding friendly spaces and policies through Statewide Health Improvement Partnership and WIC. They also provide education through a workplace wellness collaborative offered to all Polk, Norman, and Mahnomen organizations. The collaborative provides education to worksites on implementing a lactation space and breastfeeding friendly policy at their organization. This has enhanced efforts regionally by encouraging employers to do their part in supporting breastfeeding-friendly environments. Polk-Norman-Mahnomen also supports breastfeeding by supplying a Rock and Rest Tent at each of the County Fairs, providing lactation specific educational opportunities for staff, offering the WIC peer breastfeeding counselor program, supporting Mama’s Milk Connection-a monthly breastfeeding support group, promoting the Breastfeeding Friendly initiative from MDH to community partners and more.
To celebrate Minnesota Breastfeeding Awareness Month in August, Mama’s Milk Connection will host a potluck meal and gathering with games, door prizes, and fellowship, August 16 at 5:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m. at the Community Family Service Center Playground, 1407 Erskine Street, Crookston, MN. If inclement weather, we will meet at the Polk County WIC Lobby, 816 ½ Marin Street, Crookston, MN. A fun evening for the whole family, who promotes, protects and supports breastfeeding.
By making breastfeeding easier, mothers can reach their goals and give their babies the best possible start in life. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) recognizes those who take steps to provide accommodations and support for women who would like to breastfeed or continue to breastfeed after returning to work or school. Visit the MDH Breastfeeding Friendly Recognition Program website for more details.
For more information, contact Polk (218-281-3385) or Norman-Mahnomen (218-784-5425) Public Health Departments.
This Week Is World Breastfeeding Week
