By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
August is National Breastfeeding Month. The Barton County Health Department offers a variety of breastfeeding-related services to its patrons. WIC Clerk and Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Alexandra Romero said that begins with advice from the American Academy of Pediatrics and World Health Organization.
"They recommend exclusive breastfeeding for about the first six months with continued breastfeeding, along with appropriate complementary foods, for up to two years of age or older," she said.
Breastfeeding not only provides for bonding time between mom and baby in those first few months of life, but is also a healthy, natural source of food.
"Obviously, it is the best source of nutrition," Romero said. "It changes to meet your baby's nutritional needs as they grow, helps protect your baby from infection and illness, lowers your baby's risk of obesity, asthma, and type I diabetes, and it's easier to digest than formula."
Benefits to mothers include protection from ovarian and breast cancer, high blood pressure, and type II diabetes.
States continue to make strides to protect breastfeeding mothers. According to the U.S. Department of Labor Fair Labor Standards Act, "A place other than a bathroom that is shielded from view and free from intrusion from coworkers and the public, which may be used by an employee to express breast milk," must be provided.
Breastfeeding moms using the Barton County Health Department receive larger food packets as part of the WIC program through the child's first year of life. The department also provides a breastfeeding peer counselor at no cost, and offers a breastfeeding support group on the second Wednesday of each month at 3:30 p.m., and the third Wednesday of each month at 1:30 p.m. The health department also has a breastfeeding room for moms who may be mobile and need a place to stop. Mothers do not have to be enrolled in WIC to receive breastfeeding support and are encouraged to contact the Barton County Health Department with questions.