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On Which Encouraging Breastfeeding Saves Valuable Federal Funds
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
I am absolutely in love with this picture! I love seeing black moms breastfeed. It's widely considered a lost art in our national community and seeing such a stunning photograph gives me hope; hope that increasing numbers of black moms will back away from formula and re-situate their perspectives about nursing into a positive act, not a negative burden. One way that breastfeeding rates will increase among black moms is by doing just what the WIC office in Savannah, Georgia is doing -- encouraging breastfeeding and providing one-on-one support.
The Savannah WIC department figured out they can save valuable federal dollars simply by encouraging their clients to breastfeed. Nationally, $578 million dollars is spent on formula vouchers for WIC-mothers, according to the above linked article. With saving money as a powerful incentive, more WIC departments should hire qualified breastfeeding peer counselors and move their literature and stance to breastfeeding as the norm, and not simply as the exception. In doing so, everyone benefits: Black babies will be healthier, as well as their mothers. And WIC offices will have more funds to allocate to other programs.
Kudos to the Savannah, GA WIC department! Here's to hoping more departments across the country get with the program.
Photo Credit: SavannahNow.com
Labels: low-income moms, WIC
posted by Jennifer James @ 6:54 AM,
2 Comments:
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At March 28, 2007 10:45 PM,
Colleen Newman, author of Near Mama's Heart, a children's book about breastfeeding said...
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WOW!! Where was that picture when I was looking for pics for my book?!?!?! I want it! I want it! Absolutely beautiful!
Maryland’s WIC just purchased a bunch of my book, Near Mama's Heart in English and Spanish t distribute to their nursing Moms.
Each bit of encouragement goes a looong way! Thanks for the great blog and for sharing such an amazing photo.
Warmly, Colleen www.NearMamasHeart.com -
At March 30, 2007 6:19 AM,
Jennifer said...
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Congratulations on the Maryland WIC purchase. That's fantastic!
