Knoxville Celebrates World Breastfeeding Week with Free Community Event

Knoxville, TN – The Knox County Health Department’s Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program is set to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week with a free event. This annual celebration will occur at the Knoxville Museum of Art.

Event Highlights: “Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All”

This year’s theme, “Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All,” highlights the crucial support essential for breastfeeding mothers. Attendees will have the opportunity to share experiences, applaud the efforts of breastfeeding moms, and understand the significance of a supportive community.

Activities and Resources

The event will offer a variety of engaging activities. Participants can anticipate:

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

Additionally, valuable resources will be available to assist mothers in continuing their breastfeeding journey, even after returning to work.

Support and Benefits

“Breastfeeding is one of the best things a mother can do to protect the health of her infant,” states Robin Penegar, the breastfeeding coordinator for WIC. She underscores the importance of community support, especially as the rates of breastfeeding decrease when mothers go back to work.

Active support from family, friends, healthcare providers, employers, and community leaders can notably enhance a mother’s success rate in breastfeeding. State laws defend a mother’s right to breastfeed in public spaces, including businesses.

Breastfed babies have a decreased risk of developing conditions such as diabetes and obesity, with each month of breastfeeding reducing the likelihood of the baby becoming an overweight child.

About the WIC Program

The WIC program serves pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, along with infants and children under five who meet specific eligibility criteria. The program strives to protect their health by delivering nutritious foods, educational resources, breastfeeding support, and healthcare referrals.