West Palm Beach - World Breastfeeding Week 2016 is August 1st -7th however The Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County is celebrating Breastfeeding throughout the month of August. The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program will lead the way by supporting and celebrating breastfeeding mothers and peer counselors; by providing breastfeeding training updates for the staff and community partners; and by promoting community engagement activities with families on how to sustain exclusive breastfeeding.

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).

Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County encourages exclusive breastfeeding for at least six months. It takes time and practice to learn how to breastfeed, both for mother and baby, and to establish a good milk supply. Recommended actions to foster exclusive breastfeeding include limiting formula marketing, paid leave for working moms, and strengthening baby-friendly hospital initiative in health systems.

Breastfeeding moms, their families and those interested in breastfeeding are welcome to attend the “Global Big Latch on Latch and Love” Celebration August 5 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Good Samaritan Medical Center, 1309 N. Flagler Dr., West Palm Beach.

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

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.