HEALTH DEPARTMENT CELEBRATES NATIONAL BREASTFEEDING AWARENESS MONTH 

NEW CITY, NY - - Rockland County Executive Ed Day and County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert announced that Rockland County is celebrating National Breastfeeding Awareness Month with events in August; during World Breastfeeding Week, August 1-7 and Black Breastfeeding Week, August 25-31.

Join the Rockland breastfeeding community at one or more awareness month events:

• Friday, August 2: "Global Big Latch-On": 10:30 am sharp (arrive 9:30 am), 14 South Main Street, 1st floor, Spring Valley. RSVP: Rockland County Baby Café Facebook Page or call 845-364-2577.

The "Global Big Latch-On" will take place at registered locations around the world, where people come together to breastfeed and support each other. Friends, family, and the community also celebrate to help promote and support breastfeeding. Refreshments will be served, and all are welcome to attend. The event is sponsored by Rockland County WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) and Rockland Baby Café.

• Saturday, August 3: "Global Big Latch-On": 10:30 am sharp (arrive 9:30 am), 3rd annual event at The Prenatal Center Montefiore Nyack Hospital, 258 High Avenue, 2nd Floor, Nyack. Entrance and free parking are located behind the building. Pre-registration required at https://bit.ly/2WRd0xr. For more information call 845-348-7505.

The "Global Big Latch-On" events take place at registered locations around the world, where people come together to breastfeed and support each other. Friends, family, and the community also celebrate to help promote and support breastfeeding.

• Sunday, August 4: 2nd annual Community Baby Shower and Wellness Event for pregnant women and new mothers from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm, at the Martin Luther King Multi-Purpose Center, 110 Bethune Boulevard, Spring Valley. Register by July 31, e-mail: dawmo6@aol.com or call: 845-352-4806.

Discussion topics include breastfeeding, infant safety, labor/birth/delivery, and more. Free baby gifts and food. The event is hosted by the Spring Valley Seventh Day Adventist Church, in collaboration with Rockland County Department of Health, March of Dimes, Montefiore Nyack Hospital, and Lower Hudson Valley Perinatal Network.

• Friday, August 30: Free movie screening of the documentary "Chocolate Milk," from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, at the Rockland County Department of Health (RCDOH), 50 Sanatorium Rd Building A Room 118, Pomona. To register call 845-364-2577 or email messingl@co.rockland.ny.us.

The film runs 90 minutes; followed by a discussion. "Chocolate Milk" focuses on racial disparities in breastfeeding between white and black mothers by featuring stories of three African American women: a new mother, a midwife, and a WIC employee. This film focuses on the challenges of breastfeeding and will spark public discussion on how communities can better support black mothers. The event is sponsored by the RCDOH and Rockland County WIC. All are welcome to attend. For more information on the documentary "Chocolate Milk," visit http://www.chocolatemilkdoc.com/film.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a baby's life, followed by breastfeeding in combination with the introduction of solid foods until at least 12 months of age, and continuation of breastfeeding for as long as mutually desired by mother and baby. Breastmilk provides essential nutrients and antibodies that boost an infant's immune system, protecting from childhood illnesses. Babies who are not breastfed are more likely to develop common childhood illnesses like ear infections and diarrhea, as well as chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, asthma, and childhood obesity.

"The proven health benefits from breastfeeding make it important for us to work together to help reduce barriers that breastfeeding mothers face and create a culture in the community where women feel comfortable and empowered to breastfeed their babies. National Breastfeeding Awareness Month is a perfect time to join activities that promote, protect, and support breastfeeding," said Dr. Ruppert.

Interested in becoming a breastfeeding-friendly worksite, childcare center/home, pediatric or obstetric practice? Interested in joining the Rockland County Breastfeeding Coalition? Call the Health Department's Breastfeeding Promotion and Support Program at 845-364-3786, email messingl@co.rockland.ny.us, or visit http://rcklnd.us/breastfeeding. For more information about National Breastfeeding Awareness Month, World Breastfeeding Week and Black Breastfeeding Week, visit http://www.usbreastfeeding.org/NBM,
http://worldbreastfeedingweek.org/ and http://blackbreastfeedingweek.org/