Born to Breastfeed

Mother breastfeeding her newborn baby

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recognizes breastfeeding as the sole source of nutrition for your baby for about 6 months. Breastfeeding can be continued for as long as mother and baby desire it.Â

It is recognized that a well-established support system for breastfeeding mothers is critical to their success. Such support can be provided by trained health workers, lactation consultants, and community support groups. However, the most important support comes from families and friends of the breastfeeding mother.

Breastfeeding â When to reach out for help

You want breastfeeding support at home
You have painful breasts or nipples
Your doctor is concerned about baby’s weight gain
You have concerns about continuing to breastfeed when you go back to work
You wonder if your baby’s feeding patterns and behaviors are normal

(source: Kalamazoo Breastfeeding Coalition)

Breast milk benefits an infant’s health, growth, immunity, and development.Â Breast-fed children are more resistant to disease and infection early in life. Breast-fed children are less likely to contract a few diseases later in life, including juvenile diabetes, multiple sclerosis, heart disease, and cancer before the age of 15.

Mothers who breastfeed are less likely to develop osteoporosis later in life, can lose weight gained during pregnancy more easily and have a lower risk of breast, uterine, and ovarian cancer.Â

Online Resources

http://www.marchofdimes.com/baby/breastfeeding-is-best.aspx

Milk Like Mine

A Breastfeeding Coalition with Lactation Support for African American Mothers & Families

For more information and updated meeting dates/times go to:
Milk Like Mine Facebook group
Milk Like Mine website

Contact Stephanie at 248.842.9109 or email:Â stephluv323@gmail.com with any questions.

Become a Breastfeeding Champion!

The Breastfeeding Coalition of Calhoun County invites you to join the Coalition! Work collaboratively with like-minded individuals to support and encourage breastfeeding in Calhoun County.

2020 Meeting Schedule

January 28

March 24

May 26

July 28

September 22

December 1

Time
1:30 pm

Location
Calhoun County WIC Office

For more information, contact the Regional Health Alliance:

269-962-2181
regionalhealthalliance.org

jennifer@bccfoundation.org

The Big Latch On

Join us for our Breastfeeding Club for pregnant and breastfeeding women of color. The Big Latch On involves groups of breastfeeding women coming together at registered locations around the world to all 'latch on' (breastfeed) their child or children at a preset time. All the breastfeeding women and children are latched on for one minute at the preset time and are counted by the witnesses. Registered locations vary from private homes to local parks, from hospitals to businesses; the list of places that can host a Big Latch On is endless.

Breastfeeding women locally and around the world breastfeed their babies at the same time for one minute. Friends, family and community members join this celebration to promote and support breastfeeding.

The purpose of the Big Latch On is to protect, promote and support breastfeeding families by:

Providing support for communities to identify and grow opportunities to provide on-going breastfeeding support and promotion in local communities.
Raising awareness of breastfeeding support and knowledge available locally and globally.
Help communities positively support breastfeeding in public places.
Modeling breastfeeding as normal part of day-to-day life at a local community level.
Increase support for women who breastfeedâwomen are supported by their partners, family and their communities.
Ensuring communities have the resources to advocate for coordinated appropriate and accessible breastfeeding support services.

Join us in Battle Creek to surpass the world record!

The Big Latch On will be on the first Saturday in August at the McCamly Park (located on Washington St. between Van Buren St. and Michigan Ave.) at 10:00am.