Health Services: Breastfeeding
September 10-14 2012
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Why is Breastfeeding Important?
Breast milk is the perfect starter food for babies!
- It is the perfect balance of fatty acids, lactose, water and protein for a baby's digestion, brain development and growth.
- It's free!
- There's a continual supply.
- It's always at the perfect temperature.
- There are no bottles to clean and fill.
- Breast milk contains antibodies from the mother that can protect infants from infection.
Mothers who breastfeed:
- Burn more calories, which makes it easier for them to return to their pre-pregnancy weight.
- Have lower rates of certain breast and ovarian cancers later in life.
- Spend less money purchasing formula and less time preparing it.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies be breastfed exclusively -- with no baby formula or added foods or beverages -- for the first six months of life.
WIC Supports Breastfeeding
The WIC Program provides breastfeeding information, support and counseling to mothers during pregnancy. After delivery, WIC staff and peer breastfeeding counselors continue to assist mothers and babies to successfully breastfeed through the first months of life.
Breastfeeding women enrolled in WIC receive specific foods: milk, cheese, eggs, iron-fortified cereal, Vitamin C-rich juice, and peanut butter/dried beans, tuna and carrots.
FREE Breast Pumps Available for WIC Participants
Most mothers in our community return to work or school, soon after their babies are born. Most mothers know the benefits of breast milk for their baby and themselves, and want to offer the best for their baby. With the help of a breast pump, moms can have an easier time continuing to breastfeed their baby after returning to work.
Hand held and electric pumps are available, along with education on its use, milk storage guidelines and ways to keep up milk supply.
Questions? Concerns?
Certified lactation specialist are available at the Health Department or for Home Visits Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM. For more information or for answers to your questions related to breastfeeding please call:
Working and Breastfeeding
Women with infants and children below age three are the fastest growing segment of today's labor force. At least 58% of women who are employed when they become pregnant return to the labor force by the time their child is three months old.
Women who wish to continue breastfeeding after returning to work have relatively few and simple needs; availability of dependable efficient breast pumps; a convenient, safe, private and comfortable location at the worksite; and the opportunity to pump two or three times during the work day.
Information is available on how worksites can support mothers who want to continue nursing after returning to work. Free multi-user breast pumps have been distributed by the work-site breastfeeding support program at the Missoula City-County Health Department to many Missoula area employers with more than 50 employees. To find out more about breastfeeding work-site support, just call 406-258-3827.
Employers Benefit when They Support Breastfeeding
Implementing workplace lactation programs create positive results, including lower absenteeism, high productivity, high company loyalty, high employee morale, and lower health care costs. Because an ill child is a frequent cause of absenteeism among employed mothers, worksite programs that aim to improve children's health may also bring about a reduction in maternal absenteeism. Formula fed infants have a higher rate of illness which can lead to more greater absenteeism, both maternal and paternal.
Free Multi-user breast pumps have been distributed to many Missoula area employers with more than 50 employees
Interesting and Informative Breastfeeding Resources:
- Breastfeeding Initiation: The First Moments of Life
- Supporting Breastfeeding in Our Community Powerpoint
- Supporting Breastfeeding in Our Community PDF
- Surgeon General's Call To Support Breastfeeding 2011
- Breastfeed Your Baby: Healthfinder.gov
- Healthy People 2010 : Maternal Child Health (Including BF Goals)
- Breastfeeding Moms Receiving Flu Vaccine, Pass-on Immunity to Infants
- Best Practices in Breastfeeding By Marsha Walker
- Support for Breastfeeding in the Community (Texas Video)
- USBC Breastfeeding Web-site
- Emergency Nutrition Response Web-site
- Breastfeeding- A Vital Emergency Response
- Text4Baby
- Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding - what birth centers and practitioners can do
Breastfeeding Support Resources:
- Sample Breastfeeding Support Certificate
- License to Breastfeed Cards
- Breastfeeding and Babies Welcome Here Window Decal
- Downloadable Letter to Doctor Requesting Support for Exclusive BF
- Ways to Support Breastfeeding in Your Community
- Missoula Peer Breastfeeding Counseling
- Missoula Breastfeeding Coalition
- Missoula Breastfeeding Friendly Businesses
- Montana State Breastfeeding Coalition
- H1N1 Guidelines for Pregnant and BF Women, Infants & Children
- WIC Breastfeeding Recommendations
- Evaluating Maternity Practices That Impact Breastfeeding Success
- Breastfeeding Support in Missoula Medical Clinics-Study
- Family Practitioner Self-Assessment Tool
Contacts
Health Services Director
Julie Serstad - 258-4986
jserstad@co.missoula.mt.us
Nutrition Services Supervisor
Mary Pittaway - 258-4837
mpittaway@co.missoula.mt.us
Eat Smart Coordinator
Rebecca Morley - 258-3827
rmorley@co.missoula.mt.us
CATCH Coordinator
Lisa Tims - 258-3894
ltims@co.missoula.mt.us
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