You Don’t Have to Breastfeed to Support Breastfeeding



2017 marks the 25^th year that the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) is celebrating World Breastfeeding Week. This year’s theme is ‘Sustaining Breastfeeding Together’, reminding us that we all have a role to play in creating a community supportive of breastfeeding families.  We all win when we protect and promote breastfeeding.  Breastmilk provides a host of health benefits for both children and their mothers, protects our environment, creates food security, and saves the United States upwards of $13 billion.

In celebration of World Breastfeeding Week, partners of the Clinton County Breastfeeding Coalition will be hosting family friendly events and we encourage you to show your support.

• Tuesday, August 1^st – Tune into WIRY 1340 AM or 100.7 FM at 11:00am to hear what is happening around breastfeeding in our community.
• Friday, August 4^th – Stop by the Breastfeeding Block Party at the US Oval in Plattsburgh between 5:00pm-7:00pm. The whole family is invited to attend. There will be outdoor play, snacks and giveaways. In the event of rain the Block Party will be moved inside at Family Connections on the Oval. This event is hosted by the Child Care Coordinating Council of the North Country and WIC. For more information call 518-561-4999.

• Saturday, August 5^th – Be a part of the 2017 Big Latch On. Registration begins at 9:00am on Champlain Valley Physician’s Hospital (CVPH) front lawn with the ‘latch’ taking place at 10:30am, sharp! There will be light refreshments, information, prizes, a Baby & Me Demo and a free 5x7 family photo! This event is hosted by the University of Vermont Health Network CVPH. For more information: http://bit.ly/2us0NkQ 

You don’t have to breastfeed to be an advocate for breastfeeding, let’s support mothers to breastfeed anytime, anywhere.



The 2017 World Breastfeeding Week theme is 'Sustaining Breastfeeding Together'.

American Heart Month

Heart disease is still a leading cause of death for both men and women in the US. February is dedicated to American Heart Month as a way to increase the prevention, detection, and treatment of heart disease.

A few ways to help protect yourself from heart disease:

• Eat a healthy diet
• Exercise regularly
• Maintain an optimal blood pressure and healthy weight
• Refrain from tobacco use

It's important to know your risk factors for heart disease and know the signs and symptoms for heart attack and stroke. 

The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease discusses myths and truths specifically for women.

Want more info? Check out American Heart Association's website.

World Breastfeeding Week Events

Breastfeeding is one of the most effective steps a mother can take to protect the health of her baby. In observance of World Breastfeeding Week, August 1-7, learn more about the promotion and support of breastfeeding in the United States.

Locally, there are two events celebrating World Breastfeeding Week:

The Breastfeeding Block Party, Thursday, August 4 from 5-7 p.m. at the US Oval in Plattsburgh, this event aims to help all families touched by breastfeeding to come and celebrate their journey. See more information here.

The second event, The Big Latch on 2016, is part of the Global Latch On effort to promote and support breastfeeding mothers. This event will be Friday, August 5 from 9a.m. to noon. See more information here.

Women's History Month and Public Health Contributions

March is celebrated as Women’s History Month. There are many women who have made a difference in our public health:

• Marie Curie, a two time Nobel Prize winner. After her husband’s death, she continued the couples radiation research while raising two daughters.

• Dr. Virginia Apgar, M.D., developed a system of evaluating the health of newborns which is still used today.
• After the death of her beloved grandfather by cancer, Gertrude Belle Elion developed the first major drug used to fight leukemia and continued to find ways to fight cancer during her career.
• In the 1990s we saw the first female Hispanic Surgeon General, Dr. Antonia Novello. She focused on the health of young people, women and minorities. She had an effective campaign against the tobacco company’s use of Joe Camel advertisements.  
• Dr. Regina Benjamin continued to rebuild a rural health clinic she founded in Alabama that was destroyed after multiple storms and a fire. She was appointed the first black woman, under the age of 40, as a member of the Board of Trustees of the American Medical Association and our 18^th U.S. Surgeon General.

Let's celebrate all the women throughout history, and those that are currently making their mark, and their contributions to public health.