The myriad of benefits breastfeeding has to offer has landed it a spotlight in five objectives in the Heathy People 2020 initiatives. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), breastfeeding decreases risk of obesity, asthma, ear infections and sudden infant death syndrome for infants as well as decreases risk of high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes and ovarian and breast cancer for the mother. While the benefits can be clear, what is often not clear is how to help a breastfeeding mother and infant when they are experiencing complications.
The Special Supplemental Nutrition program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) of Pueblo county is here to help. The Pueblo WIC office has multiple assets to help breastfeeding mothers and infants. On staff is one International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and seven Certified Lactation Counselors (CLC) (one bilingual in sign language and one bilingual in Spanish).
The office is home to the Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program where clients can text questions and concerns regarding breastfeeding and receive help from moms, just like them, who received special training. The pump loan program, through the WIC office, loans high quality, hospital grade pumps to moms on a priority basis. Each mom is assessed by a CLC to offer interventions and education as well as instructions how to effectively use the pump.
Every year, the Pueblo WIC office celebrates our community’s breastfeeding families as part of the Global Latch On. This year, among other events, the Global Latch On will look very different. Our normal gathering of vendors and activities will be shortened to providing a drive-through version of information and incentives accompanied by a virtual latch at 10:30 am on Aug. 1, 2020. The focus this year is “Every Drop Makes a Difference,” specifically noting the benefits breastfeeding has for a healthy environment, healthy mind, healthy body and healthy community. For more information regarding the event please visit: https://www.facebook.com/pueblowicprogram.
Refer families to WIC at: www.coloradowicsignup.org
Call for more information: 719.583.4518 or 719.583.4399
Chelsea Hollowell MS, RD, CLC
Pueblo WIC Program Manager