World Breastfeeding Week starts Friday. The theme of this year’s observance is “Mother Support; Going for the Gold.”

It highlights the importance of breastfeeding support from community, family, medical staff, legislators and workplaces.  

In recognition of the public health observance, the South Coast Women Infants and Children programs join with the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization in promoting the benefits of breastfeeding.

In 2007, 88.3 percent of Oregon mothers began breastfeeding, but only 46 percent continued for six months. Nationally, only 73.8 percent of women began breastfeeding and only 41.5 percent continued for six months.

“These numbers show good improvement in breastfeeding rates, and we’re sure we can improve those numbers if we increase support to breastfeeding women,” said Kathleen Baylor, of the Douglas County WIC Program, in a press release.  

“When a mother chooses to breastfeed, she is making a decision that can have far-reaching effects on her baby’s health,” said Baylor.  

Breastfeeding offers a number of short-term health benefits for breastfed babies, including increased resistance to infections, earlier development of the infant immune system, decreased risk of ear infections and decreased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Long-term benefits include reduced incidence of childhood obesity, reduced risk of juvenile diabetes, childhood cancers, allergic disease/asthma and increased neurological development that may result in higher IQs.

To learn more about the benefits of breastfeeding, call the Coos County Women Infants Children Program at 756-2020, ext. 510; or in Douglas County call WIC at (541) 440-3516 or (800) 234-0985.