Solano County Celebrates Breastfeeding Families

July 29, 2016

SOLANO COUNTY – The Solano County Department of Health and Social Services, Public Health Division is celebrating breastfeeding mothers and their families during World Breastfeeding Week, August 1-7, 2016.  This year's theme, "Breastfeeding: A Key to Sustainable Development," links breastfeeding to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals to end poverty, promote prosperity and well-being for all and protect the planet.

“Breastfeeding plays a role in our local community in many ways,” said Alyssa Perry, Lactation Educator and Counselor for the Solano County Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program. “Breastmilk provides optimal nutrition to infants, reduces waste and water usage, and promotes lasting health and well-being. It really is the complete package.”

The goal of this year’s theme is to show the Solano community how breastfeeding relates to five major areas of development, including (1) Nutrition and Food Security, (2) Health and Well-Being, (3) Productive Work Force, (4) Environment and Safety, and (5) Lasting Health.

To celebrate the event, Solano County WIC Program, Solano County Breastfeeding Coalition, A More Excellent Way Program and Touro University California have collaborated to host a community health fair.

At the health fair, families can participate in various activities that focus on nutrition, health and well-being, the environment and sustainability. Families will also receive free fresh produce, obtain healthy snack ideas and information regarding employment and breastfeeding, get a health screening, and learn about eco-friendly cleaning products.

“Breastfeeding is both a personal choice and a public health issue,” Perry said.  “This is our opportunity to show moms how their choice positively impacts our community in lasting ways, honor them for their decision to breastfeed, and recognize their efforts in creating healthy infants, families and communities. We hope to have many of our breastfeeding moms and their families join us for a fun and healthy afternoon.”

The community health fair will be held on Sunday, August 7 from 1-4:30 p.m. at the J.F.K. Public Library, 505 Santa Clara St. in Vallejo.  For more information on how to support breastfeeding in our community, visit www.SolanoCounty.com/Breastfeeding 

For more information on the community health fair event, contact Alyssa Perry, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) at (707)784-2137 and [email protected].