Celebrate National Breastfeeding
Month With NWA

On August 6, 2011, the United States Breastfeeding Committee (USBC) officially declared that August is National Breastfeeding Month. You can read their proclamation and learn about their mission to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding.

Whether you are a new or expectant mother, a family member supporting a breastfeeding mother, a community member interested in promoting and supporting breastfeeding in your community, or a healthcare provider who wishes to help educate those around you, Sunrise Children’s Foundation is here to help celebrate National Breastfeeding Month and shine a light on how important this movement is.

Sunrise Children’s Foundation offers programs to help support children and their families, including programs such as:

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) saves lives and improves the health of nutritionally at-risk women, infants, and children. Studies have shown that since its establishment, WIC has been one of the nation’s most successful and cost-effective nutrition intervention programs. Sunrise Children’s Foundation has also created a lactation support program to assist WIC clients in meeting their breastfeeding goals.

If you would like to learn more about Early Childhood education, contact Sunrise Children’s Foundation today
Mother lovingly breastfeeding her newborn baby, highlighting the bond and nourishment during National Breastfeeding Month.

What Is National Breastfeeding Month?

Studies show that 75% of all pregnant women plan to breastfeed, but few are still breastfeeding six months after delivery. National Breastfeeding Month was created to support breastfeeding mothers and birthing people, dispel common myths, and educate caregivers.

When Is National Breastfeeding Month?

National Breastfeeding Month is celebrated in August, with each week highlighting a different cause, such as:

  • World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7)
  • Indigenous Milk Medicine Week (August 8-14)
  • Asian American Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Breastfeeding Week (August 15-21)
  • Black Breastfeeding Week (August 25-31)

Although August is the official month for National Breastfeeding Month, awareness does carry over into September to continue highlighting essential causes, such as:

  • Semana de La Lactancia Latina (September 5-11)
  • Workplace Lactation Week (September 1-7)

What Are the Benefits of Breastfeeding?

Besides being convenient, since breastfeeding mothers can feed their babies on the go, there are many additional benefits as well, including protecting the baby from developing short- and long-term illnesses and diseases.

Additional benefits of breastfeeding include:

  • Breastfed babies tend to have a higher I.Q.
  • Provides nutrition to the baby
  • Provides antibodies to the baby
  • Breastfeeding benefits the mother as well, lowering the risk of breast and ovarian cancer and more

Also, it is important to note that the risk of premature death in the first year of life is increased by 25% in formula-fed infants. Breastfed babies have a lower risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Support and Resources for Breastfeeding Mothers

To celebrate National Breastfeeding Month, NWA is hosting three 15-minute Instagram Lives on the WIC You Got This page. These live streams are a chance to learn more about WIC and breastfeeding.

The Mayo Clinic also offers “tips for moms” on breastfeeding nutrition.

You can also find additional tips for breastfeeding moms through the WIC Works Resource System.

If you have any additional questions about Sunrise Children’s Foundation’s WIC program, please contact us today. We’ll be happy to answer them.

Help Support National Breastfeeding Month

It is important to remember that breastfeeding is a family affair, and it is not solely on the mother’s shoulders. If you are a partner to a breastfeeding person, it is essential you offer support and encouragement. The USDA provides ways for you to be involved in every step of the journey.

You can still offer support even if you are not a breastfeeding mother, a soon-to-be one, or a partner. Sunrise Children’s Foundation in Nevada urges you to get involved and find ways to support breastfeeding people around you so they know they’re well-supported on their journey.

This can include things like:

  • Asking if they need help with anything or if you can bring them items (a TV remote, a glass of water, a pillow, and so on)
  • Not assuming they want to be alone while feeding — asking if they want privacy can go a long way
  • Offering to bottle-feed the baby so they can take a break

The most important thing is that you show up for them. Ask how you can best support them and listen to what they say.