The Coastal Health District’s Breastfeeding Program has received a grant from the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) to initiate programs aimed at reducing disparities in breastfeeding in African Americans and underserved communities in Chatham County. The programs will focus on peer and professional lactation support and will last through June 2016.
Funding from the grant will be used to conduct breastfeeding classes; host breastfeeding support groups; train 10 mothers to provide peer support for women who breastfeed; hold a continuing education session for Chatham County Health Department employees; and assist in training a lactation counselor in preparation for the International Board of Certified Lactation Consultant exam.
“This grant will help us promote breastfeeding among underserved populations in Chatham County on a number of different levels,” said Coastal Health District Breastfeeding Coordinator, Monica Lightfoot. “Breastfeeding is not only a great way for mothers and their babies to bond, but breastmilk also contains antibodies that can help protect infants from infections.”
The Coastal Health District provides breastfeeding support through the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). WIC provides supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children who are found to be at nutritional risk.
“Our goal is to educate women about the benefits of breastfeeding and help them become successful at breastfeeding,” said Lightfoot. “While that’s a big part of what we do every day, the NACCHO grant will allow us to expand our efforts even more.”
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