Celebrating Breastfeeding Awareness Month in August 2023

Published in Women's Health on July 12, 2023

August is a month dedicated to celebrating the significance of breastfeeding. As we get closer to August and enter Breastfeeding Awareness Month, it is an opportune time to reflect on the progress made in promoting and supporting breastfeeding, while also highlighting the challenges that still exist. Women's health providers play a crucial role in supporting and celebrating Breastfeeding Awareness Month, and Essentially Women offers solutions for providers in this space.

The Significance of Breastfeeding Awareness Month

Breastfeeding Awareness Month serves as a reminder of the critical role that breastfeeding plays in the health and well-being of both infants and mothers. It provides a platform to highlight the numerous benefits of breastfeeding, including optimal nutrition, enhanced immune protection, bonding, and long-term health advantages for both the child and the breastfeeding parent. Moreover, it aims to address the societal barriers and misconceptions surrounding breastfeeding, creating a supportive environment that encourages and empowers parents to make informed choices about infant feeding.

Supporting Breastfeeding in Women’s Health

Women's health providers play a crucial role in supporting and celebrating Breastfeeding Awareness Month. Here are some ways they can actively participate and promote breastfeeding:

Offer breastfeeding education: Organize educational sessions or workshops for expectant parents, new mothers, and their families. Cover topics such as the benefits of breastfeeding, proper latch techniques, common challenges, and how to establish a successful breastfeeding journey. Providing evidence-based information and addressing common concerns can empower women to make informed decisions about breastfeeding.
Create supportive environments: Ensure that your healthcare facility or clinic is breastfeeding-friendly. Designate comfortable spaces where mothers can breastfeed or express milk, equipped with privacy, seating, and amenities. Display supportive signage and materials that convey a welcoming atmosphere for breastfeeding mothers.
Collaborate with community organizations: Establish partnerships with local breastfeeding support groups, lactation consultants, and community organizations. By working together, you can provide a comprehensive network of support for breastfeeding mothers. Promote these resources to your patients and refer them when needed.
Engage in public awareness campaigns: Utilize your online platforms, social media accounts, and waiting room displays to share accurate information about breastfeeding. Use Breastfeeding Awareness Month as an opportunity to share success stories, address common misconceptions, and highlight the benefits of breastfeeding. Encourage your patients to share their breastfeeding experiences and testimonials to inspire and empower others.
Support breastfeeding mothers beyond the clinic: Provide resources and referrals for breastfeeding support services in the community. Encourage mothers to seek additional help when needed and emphasize the importance of ongoing support for a successful breastfeeding journey.
Advocate for breastfeeding-friendly policies: Engage in advocacy efforts to promote supportive policies in your local community, workplace, and healthcare system. By actively advocating for these changes, you can contribute to a more supportive environment for breastfeeding mothers.
Build referral sources: Provide marketing and educational materials to your local OB/GYN offices to build your local referral base. Highlight products you can supply such as maternity compression socks, belly bands, breast pumps, breastfeeding supplies, and incontinence devices to show how you can take care of their patients with reimbursable and retail products.

Continued education and updates on the latest research and best practices can enhance their ability to support breastfeeding mothers effectively.

Lily: The Mother/Baby Program

Many women’s health providers, including Essentially Women members, continue looking for services and products to better serve women, nursing moms, and their babies. Essentially Women recently launched Lily, a mother/baby program that offers products, services, and solutions to help members support women in all stages of motherhood. Everything from pregnancy to new mom and beyond.

Through Lily, members gain access to education, thought leadership, product vendors, services, and programs dedicated to helping you succeed in this fast-growing area of the women’s care industry. From starting a new business or expanding current offerings, Lily is the source for all things mom-related, including breastfeeding products and services such as breast pumps, nursing bras, and so much more. Click here to learn more.

Breastfeeding Awareness Month in August 2023 presents an opportunity to celebrate the joys and benefits of breastfeeding while addressing the challenges that still exist. Ongoing support and education are crucial for sustaining breastfeeding practices and ensuring long-term benefits for families. Continued collaboration between healthcare providers, community organizations, and policy makers will help shape a society that supports breastfeeding in all its diversity. This month is a great opportunity to celebrate the significance of breastfeeding and discover the available services and products to better serve women and their babies.

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