It Takes a Village

Although World Breastfeeding Week has come and gone and National Breastfeeding Month is coming to an end, we all have a role to play in supporting breastfeeding families year-round. Chances are, at some point, each of us will know a mom who wants to breastfeed to keep herself and her baby healthy, it might be your daughter, sister, wife, neighbor, employee or friend.

In 2015, 75% of Clinton County babies started off breastfeeding but by the time their 1^st birthday came around that number dropped to just over 20%. We know that moms can face barriers along their breastfeeding journey so the Clinton County Breastfeeding Coalition set out to remove some of those obstacles to helps moms reach their goals while normalizing breastfeeding in the community.

Breastfeeding Welcome Here Campaign - Members are recruiting local restaurants to display a Breastfeeding Welcome Here decal on their front door to do their part to support breastfeeding in the community. So far we have 13 restaurants participating, but we are always looking for more! If you own a business or would like to get a decal for your favorite restaurant just give us a call 518-565-4993. 

 

Pharmacy Toolkits - The coalition also conducted mini focus groups with local pharmacists and learned that they received very little training in school about breastfeeding and medication and would benefit from additional resources. We created toolkits to assist with counseling breastfeeding mothers. The kit includes a copy of Dr. Thomas Hale’s book, Medication and Mother’s Milk, a link to an online resource, LactMed, as well as a telephone number to call. We also provided each pharmacy with a small sign letting patients know the pharmacist could help if they had a question about breastfeeding while taking prescription or over the counter (OTC) medications. 

The take away is this: a little bit of encouragement from each of us can go a long way. The professional work we do to support moms is important, but changing the culture happens with the whole community!

To see what breastfeeding looks like in Clinton County visit: http://www.clintonhealth.org/pdf%20files/CCProfilesInPublicHealthFall2013.pdf

Fall in the North Country

 

The leaves are changing, the days are shorter, and the air is beginning to get chilly. It’s almost fall in the North Country and that means it’s the season for apple picking, corn mazes, and pumpkin patches. Before you hibernate for the winter, get some fresh air and enjoy one or all of these activities. Not only are they fun, they are good for your physical and mental health. Here are 4 reasons to go out this fall.

1.      Enjoy quality time with family. Take a break from technology and enjoy life at a slower pace. It will help you relax, build bonds and memories, and create traditions with your loved ones.

2.      Physical activity, especially outdoors, helps give your mood and energy levels a boost. Being active is associated with a healthier heart and less stress.

3.      You’re likely to go home with some delicious local fruits and vegetables at the end of the day. Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables helps protect against heart disease and helps keep your family healthy.

4.      It helps build community. Not only will you be out and part of a community event, you are helping support local farmers.

Go out and enjoy the autumn days, while they last!