“The Road to Lifelong Health Through Breastfeeding” Begins with the WIC Program

This year World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) marks its 20th anniversary. “The Road to Lifelong Health Through Breastfeeding”, developed by World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) and International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA) will be celebrated August 1-7, 2012 in over 170 countries. The theme which builds upon the road to lifelong health starts with breastfeeding and travels in many different directions regardless of the complexities.

 

The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) has helped define breastfeeding in this country by protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding. Breastfeeding initiation rates have increased considerably within the WIC Program over the last 20 years (Ryan and Wenjun 2002). WIC is continually advancing breastfeeding promotion and support throughout the country.

 

The USDA’S Loving Support Makes Breastfeeding Work© campaign is a breastfeeding promotion which was created by the Institutes of Medicine and the recently revised Loving Support Through Peer Counseling© curriculum for WIC state agencies. The new campaign and curriculum reflects the growing needs of today’s mother, current law, and modern technology and communication methods.

 

The Miami-Dade County Health Department WIC employs International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs). IBCLCs are credentialed health care professionals with special knowledge and experience in helping breastfeeding families. They, along with breastfeeding peer counselors work with prenatal and postpartum families to ensure that breastfeeding mothers and babies meet their goals and overcome any obstacles that may occur.

 

Miami-Dade County Health Department (MDCHD) recognizes the importance of breastfeeding and supports its employees who are breastfeeding by allowing time and providing a private location to express their milk during the work day. Through the Communities Putting Prevention to Work (CPPW) grant, an organization-wide lactation support policy was established and administered by Human Resources.