National breastfeeding month celebration

The Arkansas Breastfeeding Coalition (ABC) will host an event on Thursday, Aug. 23, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Main Library in Little Rock in celebration of National Breastfeeding Month. The event will offer attendees an opportunity to network with others who are working to improve breastfeeding rates in Arkansas.

Featured speakers and topics include:

·        Dr. David Grimes, M.D., Family Health Branch Chief, Arkansas Department of Health
“Miriam Labbok’s Program for Baby Friendly Hospitals-What This Means for Arkansas.”

·        Dr. Jane Miers, M.D., Sherwood Family Medical Center
“How to Support Breastfeeding Families in a Busy Practice.”

·        Martha Hall, RN, MSN, IBCLC, Arkansas Children’s Hospital
“The Donor Milk Project at Arkansas Children’s Hospital.”

According to the U.S. Breastfeeding Report Card 2012, only 62.4 percent of infants in Arkansas receive any breast milk, compared to the national average of 76.9 percent. Breastfeeding helps protects infants from a wide range of diseases and conditions including ear infections, diarrhea, asthma, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and respiratory illness. In addition, mothers who breastfeed have a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes and postpartum depression. Breastfeeding early and using only breast milk, and then introducing appropriate foods around six months of age, ensures that both mothers and babies receive maximum, long-lasting health benefits.

This year marks the second annual National Breastfeeding Month as declared by the United States Breastfeeding Committee. This year’s theme is “Everyone Can Help Make Breastfeeding Easier” and calls upon individuals, communities, health care providers, employers, insurers and public health entities to work together to support breastfeeding.

The Arkansas Breastfeeding Coalition is dedicated to protecting and promoting breastfeeding in Arkansas. ABC’s membership is composed of mothers, healthcare professionals, and others who are dedicated to promoting breastfeeding not just as “the best” way to feed a child, but as the biological norm for humans.

Main Library is located at 100 S. Rock Street in the Rivermarket District in Little Rock.

For more information about this event, contact Lucy Towbin at lucy.towbin@arkansas.gov.

To learn more about the Arkansas Breastfeeding Coalition, visit www.arbfc.org or www.facebook.com/arkansasbreastfeeding.