By Tennessee Department of Health
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Department of Health has been helping mothers give their babies the best start in life for more than 90 years, and education and support for breastfeeding are a big part of these important efforts. TDH celebrates World Breastfeeding Week Aug. 1-7 to help promote the importance of breastfeeding as a lifesaving goal.
“It is becoming more clear breastfeeding is a crucial health choice, protecting babies from stomach, lung and skin problems and ear infections along with obesity later in life and mothers from breast and ovarian cancer as well as diabetes. It is simply one of the best and lowest cost health protections our society can support,” said TDH Commissioner John Dreyzehner, MD, MPH. “We are proud to now have 24/7 support for breastfeeding moms, supporting dads and families, and we urge Tennesseans to learn about the evidence of the benefits of breastfeeding to help build the community of support for nursing mothers and babies.”
“Breastfeeding: A Winning Goal – For Life!” is the theme for World Breastfeeding Week 2014, sponsored by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action. The week highlights the importance of increasing and sustaining the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding.
Nursing mothers in Tennessee have a new means of support through the Tennessee Breastfeeding Hotline, 1-855-4BF-MOMS (1-855-423-6667). This toll-free hotline is available 24-hours a day, seven days a week to connect breastfeeding mothers, caregivers, family members and others seeking information on breastfeeding with International Board Certified Lactation Consultants and Certified Lactation Counselors. TDH provides the Tennessee Breastfeeding Hotline in partnership with Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis.
Additionally, TDH has designated breastfeeding experts available in all Tennessee county health departments. Find a list of county health departments online at http://health.state.tn.us/localdepartments.htm.
Many Tennessee health department locations are holding activities throughout the month of August to encourage and support breastfeeding. Find a list of planned activities at http://breastfeeding.tn.gov/AwarenessActivities.shtml.
For more information on breastfeeding, visit http://breastfeeding.tn.gov/.