DoH & LLL Join In World Breastfeeding Week
The Department of Health [DoH] and La Leche League [LLL] will join an international campaign marking World Breastfeeding Week beginning on Monday, August 4, 2014. This year’s theme is ‘Breastfeeding is Normal.’
Mellonie Furbert, Public Health Nutritionist for the Department of Health and member of Bermuda’s Breastfeeding Promotion Committee, said, “We are committed to helping mothers in the community overcome barriers to breastfeeding which can negatively affect our health system.
“Breastfeeding is the normal way of providing young infants with the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development. Every mother should feel comfortable feeding her child in public when he/she is hungry. We are encouraging Bermudians to be baby-friendly and welcome breastfeeding as the normal way to nourish newborns.”
Melony Kendell, Accredited La Leche League Leader, said, “The more often something is seen, the more accepted it becomes. By seeing and supporting breastfeeding in public, it will become normal. Even in developed countries, like Bermuda, the routine feeding of infant formula places babies at a higher risk of many short-term and chronic illnesses.
“Bermuda Breastfeeding Guidelines and medical organizations worldwide recommend exclusive breastfeeding for six months and continued breastfeeding with complementary foods for the first year of life and beyond. In order to encourage women in our community to follow these guidelines, they must feel comfortable being out in public and feeding their babies.”
A spokesperson said, “Activities for August will include free breastfeeding consultations the week of August 4, sponsored by LLL at the Hamilton Health Center, provided by an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant.
“Free breastfeeding information will be available at the DoH Baby Clinics in Hamilton, Warwick, Somerset and St. Georges, while CITV will hold a Health and Family segment on normalizing breastfeeding.
“A bus advertisement campaign with the theme ‘Breastfeeding is Normal’ will be held, as well as an interview on Community Voices with Gina Spence on FM 89 on August 13 at 10.30am.
“Local companies supportive of women who are breastfeeding are encouraged to display a “Breastfeeding is Welcomed Here” sign, available by contacting Community Nursing at 292-3095. To make an appointment for a free breastfeeding consultation during the week of August 4, call 737-4577.”
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Breastfeeding is so normal!