World Breastfeeding Week/National Breastfeeding Month Events in Kern County

By, Sara Steelman, MPH, CLEC


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!!