ALMH Celebrates World Breastfeeding Week

[August 06, 2014]  LINCOLN - This August 1-7, over 175 countries will be celebrating World Breastfeeding Week. This year’s theme is, “Breastfeeding: A Winning Goal – for Life!” The theme highlights the importance of increasing and sustaining the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding. The first World Breastfeeding Week was held in 1992.

Breastfeeding is the best way to provide newborns with the nutrients they need. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding until a baby is six months old, and continued breastfeeding with the addition of nutritious complimentary foods for up to two years or beyond. Mothers also benefit from breastfeeding with a decreased risk for breast and ovarian cancer.

To celebrate, the Family Maternity Suites department at Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital are providing new breastfed babies born at ALMH with a “Grow With the Flow” onesie. Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital also supports breastfeeding throughout the year by providing a free, weekly breastfeeding support group. The support group is led by a member of the ALMH nursing team who is a certified lactation counselor. At each support group meeting, babies are weighed and mothers have the opportunity to ask questions and socialize.

For more information about the ALMH breastfeeding support group, contact 217.605.5231.

[Text received; ANGELA STOLTZENBURG, ABRAHAM LINCOLN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL]