Dr. Mark Horton, director of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), today launched California’s Breastfeeding Awareness Month. "Breastfeeding helps infants and mothers achieve optimal health and wellness and strengthens the maternal-infant bond,” Horton said. “During Breastfeeding Awareness Month—and throughout the year—Californians can acknowledge the importance of breastfeeding by supporting breastfeeding mothers and working to create breastfeeding friendly environments.”
Horton launched California’s Breastfeeding Awareness Month activities at a walk at the State Capitol sponsored by the California Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Association. The State Capitol event was one of 29 Breastfeeding Awareness Walks occurring throughout the state.
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger proclaimed August as Breastfeeding Awareness Month in California to acknowledge the importance of breastfeeding and the role it plays in improving the health and well-being of mothers and infants. The Governor’s Proclamation encourages all Californians to educate themselves on the benefits of breastfeeding and to become active supporters of breastfeeding mothers. Research has shown that both infants and mothers benefit from breastfeeding. For infants, breastfeeding reduces the incidence of obesity, lowers the risks for diabetes, allergies, pneumonia, asthma and some childhood cancers and enhances cognitive development. For mothers, breastfeeding for six months or longer protects against breast and ovarian cancer and osteoporosis later in life. Studies also suggest that skin to skin contact between mother and child through breastfeeding improves infants’ emotional and cognitive development. The bonding that takes place between mother and child through breastfeeding can help build a loving and solid relationship, fostering a healthy foundation for a new family to grow.
Governor Schwarzenegger’s Breastfeeding Awareness Month proclamation is available at http://gov.ca.gov/index.php?/proclamation/7051/
Further information on breastfeeding is available at the CDPH Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Web site at http://www.wicworks.ca.gov/breastfeeding/BFResources.html