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Events to support children’s health in southern Vermont and elsewhere
Vermont Business Magazine As World Breastfeeding Week runs from August 1-7, the communities of Brattleboro, Springfield and White River Junction will come together to celebrate breastfeeding, breastfeeding and breastfeeding. This year’s theme for the annual global celebration is “Education and Support for Breastfeeding” and focuses on the need to restore support systems to pre-pandemic levels and strengthen their capacity.
The Vermont Department of Health supports and encourages breastfeeding because it has important health benefits for both mother and baby.
For adults, breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast and ovarian cancer and postpartum depression. In addition to important nutritional and developmental benefits, breastfed babies have improved cognitive development and are less likely to develop chronic diseases. Breastfed babies are less likely to develop lower respiratory tract infections, ear infections, and sudden unexpected infant death syndrome (SUID). Breastfeeding provides important bonding opportunities for both.
“World Breastfeeding Week is the perfect time to show people how and why breastfeeding is an easy and healthy choice,” said Deb Kitzmiller, public health nurse at the department’s Brattleboro Environmental Health Office. “As part of this year’s focus, we want to highlight the important role Vermont employers play in supporting their breastfeeding workforce.”
Vermont is a leader in breastfeeding initiation, with 91.5% of babies in the state receiving human milk shortly after birth, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, by 6 months of age, the proportion of exclusively breastfed babies drops to 36.8 percent. This coincides with a time when many parents are returning to the workforce – which Kitzmiller says shows how important employer support is for people to have breastfeeding-friendly policies in the workplace.
“Supportive labor policies allow people the time and space to continue expressing and providing human milk to their children,” Kitzmiller said. “Besides the important health aspects, being a breastfeeding-friendly employer also offers tangible benefits to businesses.”
The data show that policies that support new parents in the workplace can benefit employers through reduced turnover, higher productivity, absenteeism, employee morale and loyalty, and lower health care costs (average annual savings of $400/breastfeeding).
Employers can join the celebration by signing up to be a Breastfeeding Friendly Employer. Visit healthvermont.gov/breastfeeding-friendly-employers to learn more about the program and how to apply to have your business designated as a breastfeeding-friendly employer.
Here’s what’s planned for World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7):
The three “big drop” eventsIt used to be called “The Big Latch On”.)
Join us to meet other breastfeeding/nursing parents and let loose! Participants are automatically entered to win prizes. Breastfeeding experts will be available, so bring your questions.
- Virtual event on Friday August 5 from 1-2 pm
- In-person event on Saturday August 6th from 10 – 11:00 am at Lyman Point Park at White River Junction
- Sunday, August 7th from 10 – 11:30 am in person at Winston Prouty in Brattleboro.
For more information and to registergo to https://forms.gle/tv9bnhDoh12LdkCo8
Or visit the Health Department Brattleboro, Springfield or White River Junction Facebook pages. People can call Jackie Lindamode at 802-289-0600 for more information.
Vermont businesses are also invited to join:
social media – The Brattleboro, Springfield and White River Junction Local Health Offices want to feature your local business on their Facebook pages. Please send submissions or questions to debra.kitzmiller@vermont.gov.
- Option 1 (for any business): To share on our social media platforms – Take a photo Your break room or where employees wash or shower. or, Write a few sentences About your commitment to be or become a breastfeeding-friendly employer.
- Option 2 (For any business): Show the community that you are committed to happy employees with healthy families – use it yours “Happy World Breastfeeding Week!” Social media for sharing. A message.
- Option 3 (For businesses that already have “Breastfeeding Friendly Employer” status): Promote your breastfeeding location and work culture in the same way as option 1 above, but focus on what your BF Friendly status means to your employees! We will share this message on our social media to highlight the work you have done!
Learn more about breastfeeding in VermontVisit healthvermont.gov/breastfeeding
Contact your local health office: healthvermont.gov/local
About the Department of Health
We have been the state’s public health agency for more than 130 years, working every day to protect and promote the health of Vermonters.
Visit healthvermont.gov ─ Join us @healthvermont on. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube
Burlington, VT–Vermont Department of Health http://healthvermont.gov
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