The first week of August is World Breastfeeding Week as
declared by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action, and the entire month
of August is National Breastfeeding Month as declared by the United States
Breastfeeding Committee. Breastfeeding has been identified as an important
contributor to overall public health. There have been links between
breastfeeding and a reduction in the risk of obesity and cardiovascular disease,
cancer, diabetes, asthma, childhood infections, and sudden infant death
syndrome (SIDS) in children and a decrease in the risk of breast, ovarian, and
uterine cancers in mothers. Studies also show an increase in intelligence in
children who are exclusively breastfed. 
This year, the World Breastfeeding Week theme is
“Breastfeeding and Work: Let’s Make it Work”. Several celebrations and
activities will be held throughout Kern County during the month of August.
The Kern County
Breastfeeding Coalition will be holding their Annual Breastfeeding Resource
Fair at Valley Plaza Mall (Bakersfield, CA) on Saturday, August 1, 2015. This
event is open to the public, and coalition members will be providing valuable
breastfeeding resource
s and increasing awareness on how to make breastfeeding
“work” in the workplace. The coalition will also be obtaining countywide
proclamation from the Kern County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, August 4,
2015. Lastly, the Kern County Breastfeeding Coalition will be visiting local
Obstetricians’ offices throughout the month of August to distribute
breastfeeding posters/resources that will increase access to prenatal
breastfeeding education.
The Central Valley
Lactation Association will be hosting a FREE viewing of “The Milky Way
Movie”, an exposé documentary on breastfeeding in the U.S, at Homewood Suites
on Mill Rock Way Sunday, August 2, 2015 at 2:00 PM. Individuals can register at
http://bit.ly/1GO32tW.
Community Action
Partnership of Kern’s WIC Program will be creating a breastfeeding
awareness display to be placed in the Beale Library (Bakersfield, CA) for the
month of August. Certificates of appreciation will also be awarded to
businesses that are supporting their breastfeeding participants.
Clinica Sierra Vista’s WIC Program will be raising awareness to their staff by showing “The Milky Way Movie” at their regular staff meeting.
Local hospitals will be having their own celebrations. Ridgecrest Regional Hospital will be handing out gift bags full of fun items to their breastfeeding patients (and their families) the entire month of August! San Joaquin Community Hospital will be holding FREE breastfeeding classes on Thursday, August 6, 2015 and Thursday, August 20, 2015. Space is limited and individuals can reserve a seat at https://www.adventisthealth.org/sjch/event/breast-feeding-basics. Kern Medical Center will be holding their annual bake sale on Tuesday, August 4, 2015 and Thursday, August 6, 2015 from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM. Proceeds will go towards improving lactation care and support in the hospital.
If you have questions regarding any of these events/celebrations, please feel free to email us at kcbc.breastfeedingmatters@gmail.com.
Happy World Breastfeeding Week and National Breastfeeding Month!!
