As it is National Breastfeeding Month, our lactation counselors, Heidi Myers and Lillian Collins, want to remind everyone of the importance of breastfeeding. We know this isn’t possible for all new mothers, but research shows breastmilk is the best for at least the first year of a child’s life.
Fun in August! - Keep an eye out for breastfeeding cardboard cutouts at various locations in our Knox County community. The goal? To help normalize breastfeeding. And all of the Knox County libraries have book displays highlighting breastfeeding. At WIC and the Knox County Community Health Center, we have free breastfeeding materials that we can go over together, or you can grab and go (we know how busy you are, mama)!
The American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization recommend that mothers breastfeed their babies for the first 12 months and then as long beyond that as is mutually desired (however long it works for both mama and baby).
DID YOU KNOW?
- Breastfeeding can help prevent many chronic diseases, such as diabetes, Chron's, several types of cancer, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, Hodgkin's disease.
- Babies also are less likely to die of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Breastfed babies are less likely to become obese later in life.
- Breastfeeding enhances vaccine effectiveness. (YAY for all of those antibodies at work to keep our babies healthy!)
The Top 10 Reasons to breastfeed your child (that benefit the whole family!)
- Easier for baby to digest than artificial milk
- Strengthens baby’s immune system
- Baby develops a higher IQ
- Stronger bond between mom & baby
- Protects mom & baby against diabetes
- Helps mom relax and helps prevent postpartum depression
- Protects mom against breast cancer
- Faster weight loss for mom
- Saves family $1,250 a year as opposed to purchasing formula
Breast Milk Drop Site
Have you finished breastfeeding, have milk to spare, or just want to help out other mothers and babies? The Ohio Mothers’ Milk Bank provides premature babies and babies in need with much needed breastmilk. Knox Public Health houses the Knox County WIC Breast Milk Drop site. This is a freezer where we store donor milk that is on its way to the Ohio Health Milk Bank in Columbus. When a newborn is in need of breastmilk (many of which are preemies in the NICU), breastmilk can be prescribed to the infant. Just think, this breastmilk is so lifesaving that it is a prescription - it’s so amazing how breastmilk can be a healing treatment!
Research shows that human milk helps pre-term infants reach full feeds sooner and need fewer IV’s, mature their intestines faster, spend fewer days in the hospital, and reduce the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (a potentially fatal bowel infection), sepsis (blood infection), and other infections.
Some mothers may have difficulty producing enough milk or have other reasons they can’t continue to feed their babies with breastmilk.
How to start the process to become a breast milk donor:
- Call Ohio Health's Mothers' Milk Bank to conduct a phone screening at 614-566-0630
- A blood draw is done at no cost to the donor.
- A blood draw can be scheduled at any of the Health Center medical sites. You will not be charged for this visit. -
- Once approved, call Knox County WIC (740-392-2200 Option 4) to make plans to drop off your liquid gold! NOTE - You do NOT have to be a WIC member to participate in this program. The WIC office assists anyone from the public with breastfeeding needs and to facilitate milk donations through the Milk Bank.
- Your breastmilk will be stored in our monitored and locked freezer, transported to Ohio Health's Breast Milk Bank in Columbus, and then distributed to a baby in need.
WIC (Women, Infants, and Children Program)
This free nutrition program is available to women who are pregnant and breastfeeding, or have a baby less than six months old; and infants and children up to five years old, who live in Knox County and meet WIC guidelines. This free nutrition program provides support and supplemental nutritious foods, nutrition education, and counseling. Breastfeeding mothers wanting a latch assessment, weighed feeding, or weight checked on their child are welcomed at the WIC office. For these services call 740-392-2200, ext. 2283.
WIC encourages all mothers to breastfeed. Is this a program that would be helpful for you? ~ If so, check out their webpage HERE or give them a call at 740-392-2200 Option 4.
Meet the Lactation Consultants
Heidi Myers is a Breastfeeding Peer, as part of the WIC (Women, Children, and Infants) program, as well as a certified Lactation Specialist. She is available to answer questions and provide support and help to all breastfeeding moms. Contact her at 740-392-2200, Ext.2283. She also runs a breastfeeding support Facebook page, as well as a closed Facebook WIC mommy group. She also offers a breastfeeding support Zoom group on the third Thursday of the month, from 10-11AM. To get involved with the Zoom group, just send her a quick message via email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Lillian Collins is the Patient Care Navigator for the Health Center, as well as a Certified Lactation Specialist. She is available to help you navigate your way through breastfeeding, lactation issues, and women’s care - including maintaining your open nutritional needs postpartum. Contact her directly at 740-392-2200 Ext. 2258.
Your baby’s health is very important to us, as is your health as the baby’s mother. We are here to help you in any way we can! We want breastfeeding and your postpartum experience to be as positive as possible.