Contact: Olga Connor                                                                                        

                Rosa Oses-Prealoni

                                                                                                                 786-336-1276

 

MIAMI – This August, the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County (DOH-Miami-Dade) is celebrating National Breastfeeding Awareness Month. With the 4th Annual Breastfeeding Awareness Walk, sponsored by the DOH-Miami-Dade WIC and Nutrition Program, Miami-Dade County is working to promote breastfeeding as a vital health activity and encourage breastfeeding-friendly hospitals, child care facilities, workplaces, and communities.

 

For over two decades, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have reminded women and families of the vital importance of exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months of life and continued breastfeeding with complementary foods thereafter. This year’s theme “Breastfeeding and Work Let’s Make it Work!” asserts the importance of educating mothers on their right to breastfeed as well as promoting the Mother-Friendly workplace initiative.

 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mothers who breastfeed their children are at a healthier weight on average than those who do not. They also have a lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, breast and ovarian cancer. Children who are breastfed have a lower risk for developing respiratory and gastrointestinal infections, asthma, obesity, Type 2 diabetes and SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).

 

All community members are invited to take part in the 4^th Annual Breastfeeding Awareness Walk to raise awareness in our community of the importance of breastfeeding.  The walk will take place Saturday, August 29, 2015 at Women’s Park located at 10251 W Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33174. Check-in begins at 8:00 a.m. and the Walk starts at 9:00 a.m. The event is open to the public and will include a walk around the lake, kids’ activities and demonstrations, music, raffles, free health screenings and much more!

 

The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County WIC Program will highlight program benefits, enrollment information, breastfeeding education and offer free breastfeeding assistance.  Several community partners will be in attendance offering their services, program education, and giveaways.

 

To reach the goal of exclusive breastfeeding for at least six months, mothers need supportive maternity leave policies, flexible work hours, infant and child-care at or near the workplace, and private facilities for expressing and storing breast milk. It takes time and practice to learn how to breastfeed, both for mother and baby, and to establish a good milk supply. 

 

For more information, please contact the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County WIC Program at (786) 336-1333.

 

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Healthiest Weight Florida is a public-private collaboration bringing together state agencies, nonprofit organizations, businesses and entire communities to help Florida's children and adults make consistent, informed choices about healthy eating and active living. To learn more about how to be active and make nutritious food choices visit www.healthiestweightflorida.com.