Breastfeeding support offered
Sidewalk chalk messages and signs installed this week by the Logan County Health District, 310 S. Main St., are promoting the many benefits of breastfeeding for mothers and their babies during the Breastfeeding Awareness Month in Ohio.
ABOVE: Women Infants and Children peer helper Amber Brown wrote sidewalk chalk messages this week about the benefits of breastfeeding in the parking lot of the Logan County Health District, 310 S. Main St., in honor of Breastfeeding Awareness Month. HOME PAGE SLIDE SHOW PHOTO: Logan County Health Commissioner Dr. Boyd Hoddinott, standing, explains to Logan County District Board of Health members Wednesday the new point of dispensing signs, pictured behind him, that were received by the agency through carryover funds from the Cities Readiness Initiative Grant. (EXAMINER PHOTOS | MANDY LOEHR)
LCHD Nursing Director Kay Schroer reported at the Wednesday afternoon board of health meeting that the agency offers programming for any area women who are currently breastfeeding or are interested in gaining more information on the subject. They do not need to be enrolled in the Women, Infants and Children program.
A new breastfeeding support group — The Honeysuckle Hang Out— began meeting earlier this summer, and convenes on the second Monday of each month from 1 to 2 p.m. at the health district, 310 S. Main St., Bellefontaine.
The sessions are led by WIC peer helper Amber Brown. She said while the breastfeeding advantages are numerous, including cost savings and bonding benefits between mother and child, it is easy to become discouraged when starting to breastfeed a newborn baby. Figuring out schedules, whether a child is getting enough to eat or how to position the baby are just some of the struggles.
“We have lots of ideas for them. Sometimes something as simple as changing positions can help,” Ms. Brown said.
She plans to begin each gathering with a short educational piece related to breastfeeding, but then plans to open up discussion for the mothers to “share their stories.”
“The most important part about this group is to provide encouragement,” she said. “We want to help out those new moms who are going through the rough adjustment period to see what breastfeeding can look like from people who have been there before.
“We want them to be able to make connections and to have someone they can call on during any day of the week when issues arise.”
The support group sessions complement the existing breastfeeding education classes that are offered at either 11 a.m. or 2 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month, Ms. Brown said.
For those seeking additional information about the local programs, they can call the group leader at 599-3345 or visit the group’s Facebook page by searching “Logan County Breastfeeding Peer Helper.”
Also at the meeting, Logan County Health Commissioner Dr. Boyd Hoddinott presented information about the agency’s newly acquired point of dispensing signs that will be utilized in the community when dispensing medications, vaccines etc. and for practice exercises. He said the 15 colorful, multilingual signs were provided through carryover funds from the Cities Readiness Initiative that is coordinated by Columbus Public Health.
CPH was able to purchase similar signs for every county in the central region, along with Perry and Hocking counties.
Read complete LOGAN COUNTY HEALTH DISTRICT COVERAGE in Thursday’s Examiner.
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