Breastfeeding has multiple benefits for mothers and babies alike, but a lack of knowledge, support and resources makes it difficult for some mothers. WIC’s Breastfeeding Support program is looking to change that.
“Anytime that you have problems or questions, we just want to be that helpline for people,” said WIC Coordinator Morgan Leach. “We don’t want anybody to go through what we went through where you feel stuck, you want to breastfeed but you don’t know how or you’re suffering.”
Baby formula is everywhere, but Leach asserts none of it can compete with breast milk in terms of nutrition, immune support and extra benefits to mother and baby. It can also lead to increased gastrointestinal issues in infants, among other problems.
“I feel like the formula marketing company has done an amazing job to make formula seem like it’s maybe not breastfeeding, but it’s really close ... But there’s actually a lot of risk with formula feeding I feel that people aren’t aware of. Breast milk offers so many benefits to mom and the baby,” she said.
Breastfeeding helps regulate a baby’s mood and temperature and lowers the mother’s risk for postpartum depression and several cancers, including breast cancer. It even signals the uterus to contract and can help mothers reach their pre-pregnancy weight faster.
“It also changes to help fight germs and build antibodies, so tons of health benefits, emotional benefits, for mom especially,” explained breastfeeding peer counselor Jentsy Philpot.
Since incidents of contaminated formula and the subsequent formula shortages are still in the public consciousness, Leach noted breast milk is “never on recall” and there are relatively few prohibitive physical factors to breastfeeding.
“There’s very few things that would prevent you from breastfeeding as far as contraindications .... Like medications, medical conditions. It’s very minimal,” she said.
“It’s convenient. It’s free,” Philpot added.
The most common problems breastfeeding mothers report at WIC are their baby struggling to latch, and concerns about whether he or she is getting enough milk. Breastfeeding support counselors offer latch assessments, weighted feeds and other support to ensure mothers can make the nutrition choices they feel are right for their children. They also make themselves available any time of day to their clients.
Mother Brandi Johnson described the care she and her son Cash have received as “amazing.”
“I don’t know how many times I text Jentsy with questions and she’s texting me back right away,” Johnson said.
Leach and Philpot said knowledge and social support are two areas currently lacking for breastfeeding moms. Breastfeeding in public has been stigmatized for years, and mothers who need to return to work quickly may be reluctant to ask for the opportunity to breastfeed or pump during the workday. WIC Breastfeeding Support counselors want to equip women to tackle these problems with professionals at their backs.
“I wish I would have had this resource whenever I had my kiddos,” said Leach.
WIC Breastfeeding Support took its efforts public last year with an event for World Breastfeeding Awareness Week. This year, the August gathering gathered a whopping 163 people. Still, not enough people know about the resources available to them, Philpot and Leach agree.
“We want to help you. You want to breastfeed, we’re going to help do our best to make it happen,” said Philpot.
More information about WIC Breastfeeding Support and eligibility for WIC is available at butlercountyhealth.org and the Butler County Health Department Facebook page, and by calling 573-785-7044.
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