OSWEGO COUNTY – August is designated as National Breastfeeding Month to celebrate mothers and lactating parents. The occasion aims to encourage and support breastfeeding and human milk feeding. It’s also a good time to highlight the availability of local breastfeeding support.
The Oswego County Health Department (OCHD) offers individualized lactation services, either in your home or at the OCHD, with a certified lactation counselor. It includes prenatal breastfeeding education, guidance and support as well as latch assessment. The OCHD also welcomes lactating parents to make use of their safe and private lactation room.
“Here at the health department, we have staff who can help answer questions regarding breastfeeding and connect families to local resources,” said Oswego County Supervising Public Health Nurse Jennifer Purtell. “We want to provide a safe and welcoming environment to Oswego County staff and community members while they’re visiting our building.”
Rates of breastfeeding in the U.S. vary widely because of the multiple and complex barriers new parents face when starting and continuing to breastfeed.
Some reasons a lactating parent may stop breastfeeding include:
- issues with lactation and latching
- concerns about infant nutrition and weight
- mother’s concern about taking medications while breastfeeding
- unsupportive work policies and lack of parental leave
- cultural norms and lack of family support
- unsupportive hospital practices and policies
“It is our goal to address any barriers mothers face when it comes to lactating, and we hope that providing a comfortable environment to ask questions helps start that conversation,” said Senior Public Health Nurse Jennifer DiGregorio, a certified lactation counselor.
Another resource available to lactating parents is REACH CNY. It offers, along with its community partners, breastfeeding cafés in Oswego, Fulton and Pulaski. These monthly drop-in meetings are completely free and led by certified lactation counselors and peer leaders. They provide informal breastfeeding support and education to both breastfeeding and expecting individuals and their family members. Follow Breastfeeding Cafes of Oswego County on Facebook for schedule updates and information as well as links for virtual meetings.
On Saturday, Aug. 3, the Oswego County Breastfeeding Coalition hosts the “Big Latch On” from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in Breitbeck Park on Lake Street in Oswego. This special event brings parents, families and friends together to offer community and peer support for breastfeeding. Light refreshments will be served. For event details or to register, find the Oswego County Breastfeeding Coalition on Facebook.
To learn more about the benefits of breastfeeding – including proper position or latching techniques, recognizing hunger cues, and pumping or expressing breast milk – schedule a lactation consultation with Jennifer DiGregorio, RN, CLC, by calling 315-349-3547 or visiting health.oswegocounty.com to fill out a lactation counseling referral form.
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