breastfeeding happenings in virginia

World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated every year from 1 to 7 August to encourage breastfeeding and improve the health of babies around the world. It commemorates the Innocenti Declaration signed in August 1990 by government policymakers, WHO, UNICEF and other organizations to protect, promote and support breastfeeding.

This year, WHO is working with UNICEF and partners to promote the importance of family-friendly policies to enable breastfeeding and help parents nurture and bond with their children in early life, when it matters most. This includes enacting paid maternity leave for a minimum of 18 weeks, and paid paternity leave to encourage shared responsibility of caring for their children on an equal basis. Mothers also need access to a parent friendly workplace to protect and support their ability to continue breastfeeding upon return to work by having access to breastfeeding breaks; a safe, private, and hygienic space for expressing and storing breastmilk; and affordable childcare.

Breastfeeding promotes better health for mothers and children alike. Increasing breastfeeding to near-universal levels could save more than 800 000 lives every year, the majority being children under 6 months. Breastfeeding decreases the risk of mothers developing breast cancer, ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. It is estimated that increased breastfeeding could avert 20 000 maternal deaths each year due to breast cancer.

WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding starting within one hour after birth until a baby is 6 months old. Nutritious complementary foods should then be added while continuing to breastfeed for up to 2 years or beyond.

Find out more information about this week here.

This year's National Breastfeeding Month them is "Support Changes Everything."

In recognition of National Breastfeeding Month (NBM), each year the USBC hosts a social media advocacy and/or outreach campaign inviting breastfeeding coalitions, member/partner organizations, and individual supporters to join online actions and conversations to build support for the policy and practice changes needed to build a "landscape of breastfeeding support." Read on for resources, tools, and weekly themes for 2019.

Find your tools and more information here.

Held annually on the grounds of Centra Virginia Baptist Hospital in partnership with Womens & Children's Services at Centra and Live Healthy Lynchburg.

See more about the event here.

The film Chocolate Milk (90 min) examines how the socioeconomic factors of race and sex influence breastfeeding rates for black mothers in America through the stories of three women.

From sexual objectification of women’s breasts to insufficient maternity leave, there are many reasons why mothers in the U.S. struggle with the decision to breastfeed. Yet advocates argue the long-term health benefits to infants - reduced risk of chronic disease, cancer, asthma and obesity - far outweigh the challenges. Chocolate Milk examines how the socioeconomic factors of race and sex influence breastfeeding rates for black mothers in America through the stories of three women.

Panel discussion and reception to follow

FREE and Open to All: reservation required

FAQs

What are my transportation/parking options for getting to and from the event?

Free street parking around the library, observe signs carefully: Easily accesible by bus

How can I contact the organizer with any questions?

email jarene.fleming@vdh.virginia.gov

Can I update my registration information?

Yes

See more information here.