MonticelloLive

Did you know that there is no better food than breast milk for a baby’s first year of life? What and how babies are fed in the early months of life can impact the later health of individuals, communities, and the nation.

The Arkansas Department of Health’s WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) program is recognizing and celebrating breastfeeding moms for their important contributions to health during the month of May.  Mothers from a variety of backgrounds and life challenges across the state have made the decision to give breastfeeding a try and make a difference in the health of their children and resulting communities. This celebration is one way to say thanks to breastfeeding moms for making a difference for our future health.  
The Healthy People 2010 goals include increasing the number of women who initiate breastfeeding to 75%.  According to the Centers for Disease Control, Immunization Survey 2004, the national breastfeeding rate was 73.8%.  In that same report for Arkansas, the breastfeeding rate was 59.2% for the state population.  Among women in the Arkansas WIC program, and according the 2006 Pediatric Nutrition Surveillance System (PedNSS) report, the breastfeeding rate was only 45.2% — an increase from 43.2% in 2003.
One of the barriers preventing women from breastfeeding is the lack of support from family, friends, and the community.  Arkansas WIC is working statewide to promote breastfeeding as the preferred way to feed a baby and make support available to help mothers continue breastfeeding.
 
Pregnant or breastfeeding mothers in Arkansas can get information and support from a variety of community resources:  the county health department, community hospital and physician’s offices, WIC breastfeeding peer counselors, other breastfeeding mothers and La Leche League leaders.
For more information, call the Arkansas Department of Health Breastfeeding Help-line at 1-800-445-6175 or the Drew County Health Department at 367-6234.  Also visit the breastfeeding website at www.healthyarkansas.com/breastfeeding.

The WIC Program is an equal opportunity provider and employer.