August is National Breastfeeding Month. The Anne Arundel County Department of Health offers breastfeeding information to county residents in free Healthy Pregnancy and Baby Care Kits. The kits include information on babies’ feeding habits; breastfeeding benefits; and tips on coordinating breastfeeding with work schedules.
“Breastfeeding is one of the best gifts you can give your baby. It gives babies a healthy start in life,” said Anne Arundel County Health Officer Jinlene Chan, M.D., M.P.H.
The American Academy of Pediatrics states that human milk is uniquely superior for infant feeding and that breastfeeding should be continued through the first year and longer if baby and mom desire. Some benefits of breastfeeding include a quicker recovery after delivery and saving approximately $1,200 per year on formula. Research studies have also found that mothers can reduce the risk of many health problems in their full-term infants by exclusively breastfeeding for at least three months.
For more information about the Healthy Pregnancy and Baby Care Kits, county residents can visit www.aahealthybabies.org.
Women, Infants and Children (WIC) is a supplemental nutrition program for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, postpartum women and children up to age 5. For more information on WIC, county residents can call 410-222-6797 or visit www.aahealth.org/wic.
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