July 27, 2022

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IN LAKE COUNTY CELEBRATES WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK

AUGUST 1-7, 2022

Contact:
Noelda Lopez, Public Information Specialist
Noelda.Lopez@flhealth.gov
Office: 352-589-6424, After Hours: 352-729-1754

Eustis, Fla. – The Florida Department of Health Lake County is celebrating World Breastfeeding Week from August 1-7, 2022. World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated every year from August 1st through August 7th in more than 170 countries to encourage breastfeeding and improve the health of babies around the world. The department is working to promote breastfeeding as a vital health activity, and encourages breastfeeding-friendly hospitals, childcare facilities, workplaces, and communities.

This year, the Florida Department of Health in Lake County WIC Breastfeeding Team, in conjunction with the Lake County Breastfeeding Task Force, will be celebrating World Breastfeeding Week in August by hosting an Open House Meet & Greet at the Leesburg WIC office at 1904 Griffin Road on Wednesday, August 3, 2022, from 3:00 P.M. to 4:30 P.M. Community breastfeeding advocates will be available to breastfeeding families to answer questions, provide education and offer support. The celebration aligns with this year’s theme for World Breastfeeding Week of "Step Up for Breastfeeding. Educate and Support". It also aligns with the National Breastfeeding Month theme of "Together We Do Great Things".

Local WIC agencies offer resources and staff to help breastfeeding mothers. WIC agencies may have International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants who have a high level of specialized knowledge in breastfeeding to assist clients. WIC agencies also have Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Programs. The trained peer counselors are chosen from the same socio/economic/ethnic groups as WIC clients and have successfully breastfed their own babies. Breastfeeding peer counselors provide mother-to-mother basic breastfeeding education and support to pregnant and breastfeeding moms. For more information about the Florida WIC program call 1-800-342-3556 or visit www.FloridaWIC.org.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @HealthyFla. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.