Raising Awareness and Empowering Mothers
August is National Breastfeeding Month — a time to recognize the important role that breastfeeding can play in both a child and a mother’s lifelong health. This week (August 16 – 24) is Spotlight on Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies Week, dedicated to raising awareness on the importance of breastfeeding during emergencies, such as COVID-19 and wildfires. The safest food for an infant in an emergency is their own mother’s milk and breastfeeding releases hormones that lower stress and anxiety in both babies and mothers. Learn more here.
To cap off the month, next week (August 25 – 31) is Black Breastfeeding Week, highlighting the gaping racial disparity in breastfeeding rates among women. The most recent CDC data show that 75% of white women have breastfed versus 58.9% of Black women. Follow along, as there will be virtual events all week. Learn more here.
Please read and share the following resources:
- Save the Children – Celebrate Breastfeeding Awareness
- Healthchildren.org – Where We Stand: Breastfeeding
- World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action – COVID and Breastfeeding
- U.S. Breastfeeding Committee – Key Facts About Breastfeeding and Emergencies
Click here to learn about the Monterey County Maternal Mental Health Taskforce and their work to increase community supports for pregnant and parenting mothers and their families.
Find free, high-quality, online professional support for mothers through the Monterey County’s Forward Together/Avanzado Juntos Initiative here.