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August is National Breastfeeding Month and this week is National WIC Breastfeeding Week. One of the best things a mom can do for her infant is to breastfeed exclusively for the first six months of life, and continuing for a year or longer. Breastfed babies have increased resistance to infections and earlier development of the immune system, and are less likely to be hospitalized due to serious illness. Kids who have been breastfed are less likely to be obese and have a reduced risk of chronic childhood diseases such as juvenile diabetes, asthma and childhood cancers. Mothers who breastfeed have lower rates of breast and ovarian cancer, are less likely to develop type 2 diabetes and are more likely to return to a healthy weight.
Oregon WIC, a program in our Public Health Division, is committed to supporting new mothers by ensuring they have access to good nutrition, and by helping them overcome barriers to breastfeeding at home and work. These moms give their babies a great start that will help them to live healthy and productive lives. Oregon WIC is just one example of how OHA programs can address social disparities and help Oregonians gain access to good health.
To commemorate National WIC Breastfeeding Week, and in accordance with the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recognized WIC programs that displayed outstanding achievement in improving breastfeeding rates in WIC participants. Oregon WIC is one of eight state WIC agencies and Indian tribal organizations that have demonstrated successful breastfeeding promotion and support efforts; they also received a bonus award of $100,980 for their program.
Congratulations to Oregon WIC for reminding us a basic preventive measure like breastfeeding can have a huge impact on our state’s health and provide great outcomes for our kids.
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Moms enjoy last year's Mothers' Tea.
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In celebration of National Breastfeeding Month, Oregon WIC, the Portland State Office Building (PSOB) Wellness Center and Healthy Families Employee Resource Group will hold a Mothers’ Tea Wednesday, Aug. 12 from 2:30-4 p.m., in PSOB 1-B. The celebration is open to OHA working mothers, their children, significant others, family, friends and colleagues.
To your health: Want to make sure your kids and grandkids make good food choices? Here are some tips to promote healthy childhood eating and good habits that will last into adulthood:
- Have regular family meals: Eating breakfast and dinner together is comforting and enhances appetite.
- Cook more meals at home: Know what your kids are eating, and avoid excess salt and fat.
- Get kids involved: Let your children help prepare meals and pack lunches. They can learn about nutrition and how to read labels.
- Provide healthy snacks: Keep fruit, vegetables, whole grain snacks and healthy beverages around instead of soda, chips and other empty calorie snacks.
- Limit portion size: Don’t insist on a clean plate so your child recognizes when he or she is full.
- Breastfeed your baby.
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