Published Wednesday, July 29, 2009 8:18 AM
Charleston, S.C./ July 29, 2009 – In an emergency situation, mothers who are breastfeeding their babies don’t have to worry about finding clean water or formula to feed their child. That’s the message of the 2009 World Breastfeeding Week Aug. 1-7.
Trident Health System lactation consultants will be sharing that message next week with displays at both Trident Medical Center and Summerville Medical Center.
Lactation consultants at each of the facilities say the goal of World Breastfeeding Week is to create awareness, especially as the Lowcountry enters the height of hurricane season.
The World Breastfeeding Week theme, “Breastfeeding: A Vital Emergency Response – Are You Ready?” encourages families to make breastfeeding support a part of their emergency preparedness plan.
The World Health Organization and American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that babies exclusively breastfeed for at least the first six months of life and continue breastfeeding for at least another one to two years.
Trident Medical Center and Summerville Medical Center offer breastfeeding support groups for breastfeeding moms and their babies. For more information about the support groups, call Consult-A-Nurse at 843-797-FIND (3463).
Breastfeeding in an Emergency – Web Resources
• Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine: www.bfmed.org.
• American Academy of Pediatrics: www.aap.org.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/foodwater.asp.
• IFE Core Group/Emergency Nutrition Network: www.ennonline.net.
• International Lactation Consultant Association: www.ilca.org.
• La Leche League: www.lalecheleague.org/emergency.html.
• UNICEF: http://www.unicef.org/nutrition/index_emergencies.html.
• United States Breastfeeding Committee: www.usbreastfeeding.org.
• World Health Organization: http://www.who.int/topics/breastfeeding/en/.
Trident Health System is an HCA hospital system comprised of two acute care hospitals – Trident Medical Center and Summerville Medical Center – as well as Moncks Corner Medical Center. Accredited by The Joint Commission, Trident Health System is committed to providing quality health services along with wellness information and opportunities to the communities it serves. For more information about Trident Health System, please visit our website at www.tridenthealthsystem.com or call 843.797.7000.
*Note: Any medical or other information accessible through Health Check is provided solely by Trident Health System, and has not been edited by Summerville Communications, Inc., the Summerville Journal Scene, the Goose Creek Gazette, or the Berkeley Independent for content or accuracy.
