County of Sonoma WIC agency plans Aug. 7 celebration for World Breastfeeding Week

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Sonoma County’s nationally recognized Women-Infants-Children Supplemental Nutrition Program will be celebrating breastfeeding mothers at its World Breastfeeding Week event on Thursday, Aug. 7, from 9 a.m. to noon, at the WIC Santa Rosa office, located at 1450 Guerneville Road. The bilingual event will offer a variety of activities and food, including a craft table, raffle, taco truck, farmers’ market, community partner tables, a “global latch on” where breastfeeding mothers get together and latch their babies at the same time, and more.

“Thankfully, Sonoma County’s breastfeeding rates continue to trend above average, but barriers still exist for low-income and Spanish-speaking populations,” said Board of Supervisors Chair Lynda Hopkins. “County WIC staff are working hard to reduce health disparities and ensure that all infants are getting a healthy start.”

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors has adopted a Gold Resolution reaffirming Sonoma County’s commitment to breastfeeding awareness and equitable access to breastfeeding support in Sonoma County.

More than 500 adults and children attended last year’s breastfeeding event.

“Our World Breastfeeding Week event is a time for the community to come together to celebrate breastfeeding families and promote the important benefits of breastfeeding,” said Aileen Rodriguez, longtime director of Sonoma County WIC. “We invite our WIC participants and their children and other interested members of the public to come out and join the festivities.”

WIC and the benefits of breastfeeding

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of age and continue to be breastfed with the addition of solid foods until 2 years of age, or longer if mutually desired. Breastfeeding is a cost-effective, preventive measure that reduces infant illness and death, supports optimal growth and development, and reduces the risk of several short and long-term health problems for infants and mothers.

Roughly 50% of all infants born in the U.S. are on WIC, with more than one million participants in California. In Sonoma County, approximately 40% of babies are on WIC. WIC participants receive nutritional education, breastfeeding support and counseling, as well as resources and referrals to public health programs. Additionally, WIC participants receive electronic food benefits each month to purchase healthy food.

Potential participants can apply for WIC if they are low to moderate income, pregnant, expecting a baby or have recently given birth. Families can also apply for WIC if they have infants under 12 months old or children under the age of five. To learn more about enrolling in WIC, please call (707) 565-6590.

“This year’s World Breastfeeding Week theme, ‘Creating Sustainable Support Systems,’ emphasizes that breastfeeding is more than a personal decision, it’s a community effort,” said Dr. Amelyn Olson, Director of the Public Health Division, Department of Health Services. “Breastfeeding offers important health benefits for both mother and baby, and it’s also environmentally friendly. Breast milk is a natural, renewable resource that requires no packaging or transport. With support from workplaces, health care providers and the community, families are more likely to reach their breastfeeding goals. We’re committed to building systems that make that support possible.”

County of Sonoma WIC participants will receive $30 (one time only) to use at the Farmers Market. This year’s World Breastfeeding Week event is co-sponsored by the Sonoma County Department of Health Services, First 5, Partnership Health Plan, Sonoma County Indian Health Project and the Sonoma County Breastfeeding Coalition.

To register for this free event, please go to: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sonoma-county-breastfeeding-celebration-tickets-1426095362619.

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Media Contact:
Sheri Cardo, DHS Communications Specialist
Sheri.Cardo@sonomacounty.gov
(707) 565-8619