August is National Breastfeeding Month, proclaimed by the U.S. Breastfeeding Committee, an independent non-profit coalition of more than 100 organizations guiding policies and practices to support breastfeeding.
Swope Health is proud to educate patients, clients, associates, and community partners on the importance of providing support to breastfeeding families. We are committed to the well-being of every person in every community we serve.
We are hosting a virtual program on “Enabling Breastfeeding: Making a Difference for Working Parents” from noon-1 pm, Thursday Aug. 31.
The program will feature information about Missouri’s breastfeeding rates, and the laws and initiatives that are designed to support lactating families.
The program can help nursing employees understand their rights in the workplace.
Hosted by Swope Health’s Women Infants and Children (WIC) Office, this event will feature presentations from two special guests:
Stephanie Pruess, RD, LD, IBCLC, State Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Coordinator for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, WIC and Nutrition Services; and
Lisa Schlientz, MPH, IBCLC, State of Missouri Breastfeeding Coordinator, who works with programs in WIC and Nutrition Services, and Maternal and Child Health.
Registration for the free virtual event is open now. Click here to sign up! (Once you’ve registered, an appointment will be sent to your e-calendar.)
Additional activities in support of Breastfeeding Month:
- Providing “Snack Bags” to WIC pregnant and breastfeeding families (while supplies last).
- In partnership with Healthy Blue, a benefit info session will be held 10 am to noon on August 25 at Swope Health Central.
- Holding two raffles during the month to provide families with items that support breastfeeding.
Ongoing breastfeeding support:
- Nutrition and Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Staff
- Breastfeeding warmline 816-799-1428
- Breastpumps for WIC program participants as available
- Quarterly breastfeeding support group, next meeting is 1 pm August 24. This is a virtual meeting on Zoom, www.us06web.zoom.us, meeting ID: 892 0503 5735
Why Breastfeeding?
The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee notes that mother’s milk is the optimal food for babies, as it plays a critical role in building and supporting an infant’s immune system. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that breastfeeding can reduce risk for certain conditions for mothers and babies.
For more information, explore these resources about breastfeeding:
