WQIO Ohio's Super Station
Knox Public Health’s Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program is celebrating National Breastfeeding Awareness Month throughout August by encouraging families, employers and the community to support breastfeeding mothers and infants.
This year’s campaign follows the World Breastfeeding Week theme, “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works,” emphasizing the importance of community support in helping families successfully breastfeed.
The Knox County WIC Program provides a variety of services for expectant and new parents, including prenatal education, one-on-one appointments with lactation professionals and ongoing breastfeeding support after a baby is born.
Health officials say breastfeeding is widely recognized as one of the most effective ways to improve health outcomes for both infants and mothers. Research has shown that breastfeeding can reduce the risk of respiratory illnesses, ear infections and allergies in infants while also lowering the risk of certain cancers and other diseases in mothers.
The American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a baby’s life, followed by continued breastfeeding alongside appropriate complementary foods for two years or longer.
Knox Public Health says community support plays a critical role in helping families meet those recommendations.
Businesses are encouraged to create welcoming environments for breastfeeding mothers by displaying signs indicating breastfeeding is supported and by educating employees about Ohio Revised Code Section 3781.55, which protects a mother’s right to breastfeed in public.
Employers can also utilize the Ohio Workplace PLUS Toolkit, which provides guidance on creating private lactation spaces—other than restrooms—for employees returning to work after childbirth. Officials say these accommodations can improve employee retention while supporting the health of mothers and infants.
Childcare centers are also encouraged to become breastfeeding-friendly by training staff on safely handling breast milk and following each family’s feeding plan. Hospitals can further demonstrate their commitment by participating in the Ohio First Steps for Healthy Babies initiative, which promotes breastfeeding education and support for new mothers.
Knox Public Health encourages residents who have questions about breastfeeding or WIC services to contact the Knox Public Health WIC office at 740-392-2200, Option 4, or the Ohio Statewide Breastfeeding Hotline at 1-888-588-3423. Additional information and breastfeeding resources are available through the Ohio Department of Health.
