KCHD to Host Free Event Celebrating World Breastfeeding Week

Knoxville Prepares for an Empowering Event for Mothers

The Knox County Health Department (KCHD) is excited to host its annual celebration for World Breastfeeding Week. The event, scheduled to take place at the Knoxville Museum of Art, aims to recognize and support breastfeeding mothers by providing a communal space where they can share their experiences and gather vital resources.

Event Highlights

The theme of this year’s event, “Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All,” emphasizes the importance of providing comprehensive support to breastfeeding mothers. The event will include a number of activities, such as:

• T-shirt painting
• Story time
• Goodie bags for the first 75 attendees

The Importance of Community Support

The breastfeeding coordinator for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program, highlights the key role of support in successful breastfeeding. “Breastfeeding is one of the best things a mother can do to protect the health of her infant. However, we often see a decrease in breastfeeding rates as women return to work. As a community, we need to enhance our support for mothers and their breastfeeding efforts.”

Why Breastfeeding Matters

Breastfeeding has been linked to a lower risk of several health issues for babies, such as diabetes and obesity. The longer a baby is breastfed, the lower their chances of becoming an overweight child. Further, the active contribution of family, friends, community, healthcare providers, and employers can significantly improve a mother’s success rate in breastfeeding.

Legal Support and Rights

It’s also worth noting that state laws protect a mother’s right to breastfeed in public spaces, including businesses. This ensures that breastfeeding mothers can continue to nourish their babies wherever necessary.

About the WIC Program

KCHD’s WIC Program is designed to assist pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, in addition to infants and children under five who meet eligibility criteria. The program includes services like offering healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to healthcare services. More information about eligibility and the services provided by WIC can be found on their official platform.