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Thursday, August 2, 2018

Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) and its partners invite the public to learn more about the health benefits of breastfeeding for infants, mothers and the community at several free events planned during the Annual World Breastfeeding Week celebration.

World Breastfeeding Week, celebrated in more than 170 countries, is intended to highlight the important health benefits of breastfeeding. In a world filled with inequality, crises and poverty, breastfeeding is the foundation of lifelong good health for babies and mothers. Breastfeeding supports a child’s well-being from birth by providing the best nutrition in a safe, low-cost, natural, ecological and sustainable way. Breastfeeding improves the health, development and survival of women, infants and children worldwide. If women breastfeed, they recover faster after childbirth and have a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancer. Breastfeeding is a great equalizer in health. Regardless of family income, if infants are breastfed, childhood illnesses like ear infections and colds are less frequent and less severe. Breastfeeding also reduces the risk of more serious diseases like meningitis, intestinal problems and allergies as well as chronic diseases like diabetes, asthma and obesity. Because breastfeeding improves brain health and readiness to learn, it can help a child learn and be successful in school. Breastfeeding also supports a clean and safe, non-polluting, natural and sustainable source of nutrition for children.

World Breastfeeding Week is being celebrated this week throughout Contra Costa County. (See local events below.) Come see how breastfeeding can positively affect sustainable development goals in our county and throughout the world.

Tuesday, July 31, 2018

Brentwood WIC Program
171 Sand Creek Road, Suite A, Brentwood
The Brentwood WIC office will host an afternoon breastfeeding event from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. with breastfeeding classes, community resources, free books and diapers.

Wednesday, August 1, 2018

Contra Costa Regional Medical Center
2500 Alhambra Ave, Martinez
CCRMC will celebrate World Breastfeeding Week with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the hosipital’s new employee lactation room from 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. The new room will be accessible 24 hours a day to CCRMC staff who are breastfeeding and will provide a secure comfortable and private place for staff to pump and store breast milk while at work. Supporting staff who breastfeed is consistent with the Baby Friendly goals of the hospital to increase breastfeeding duration rates.

Wednesday, August 1, 2018

Concord WIC Program
2355 Stanwell Circle, Concord
The Concord WIC office will host an afternoon breastfeeding event from 1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. with breastfeeding classes, community resources, free food, face painting, free books, clothes and diapers.

Thursday, August 2, 2018

Pittsburg WIC Program
2311 Loveridge Road, Pittsburg
The Pittsburg WIC clinic will celebrate World Breastfeeding Week between 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. with breastfeeding classes, community resources, free books, a photo booth, prizes from vendors and more. Come join the fun!

Thursday, August 2, 2018

Richmond WIC Program
100 38th Street, Richmond
The Richmond WIC clinic will host an afternoon celebration from 1 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. with breastfeeding classes, games, community resources, free fruits and vegetables and a health fair. Line dancing, infant massage classes and a breastfeeding tea for friends and families of pregnant women will add to the fun. Come join us!

For more information on how breastfeeding is a key to sustainable development worldwide, visit worldbreastfeedingweek.org.

For more information and/or support for breastfeeding, contact your healthcare provider, or call the Contra Costa Breastfeeding Advice Line at 866-878-7767.

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