Breastfeeding a healthy, convenient, safe option

All citizens need to be prepared for any situation. Pregnant women and their families should aim to breastfeed. Families need to think about how they would feed their baby if clean water, sterile bottles and formula or even shelter were not available. This is especially important in this economic downturn where breadwinners are losing their jobs and sometimes families are losing their homes.

The Centers for Disease Control reports that Ohio’s breastfeeding initiation rate of 59.6 percent ranks 44th in the nation. We can do better. All elements of the community should cooperate and support breastfeeding mothers so that babies can be assured of a free, safe and reliable food source whenever disaster strikes.

For more information about breastfeeding please call the Wood County Health Department WIC office at 419-352-8402.