— from San Juan County Communications —
World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated every year from August 1-7 to encourage breastfeeding and overall health of mothers and babies.
The 2016 World Breastfeeding Week theme is how breastfeeding promotes sustainable development goals. “Sustainable development means development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs,” (www.worldbreastfeeding.org). Breastfeeding is an environmentally sustainable method of feeding. It provides infants with optimal nutrition, and promotes health and development, food security and poverty reduction. Breastfeeding is at the center of sustainable development in our communities locally and worldwide.
San Juan County Health & Community Services joins professional health organizations worldwide to collaboratively promote awareness of the numerous benefits of breastfeeding for infants, mothers, community, and society. San Juan County WIC & Newborn Outreach programs offer breastfeeding education and support services in our community from Breastfeeding Peer Counselors, Public Health Nurses, and Lactation Consultants.
Breastfeeding assistance is available by phone, home visits and clinic appointments on San Juan, Lopez, and Orcas Islands. Breastfeeding information and support may be accessed through San Juan County Health & Community Services (378-4474).
San Juan County has the highest rates in Washington State of women initiating breastfeeding at birth, a statistic to be proud of.
Small note:
remember you have a right in Washington state to feed your child when necessary ,don’t let others tell you don’t.