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Adopt and present a resolution declaring August 2017 as Solano County Breastfeeding Awareness Month (Supervisor Hannigan)
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Published Notice Required? Yes _____ No __X__
Public Hearing Required? Yes _____ No __X__
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Health and Social Services Department (H&SS) recommends that the Board of Supervisors adopt and present a resolution declaring August 2017 as Breastfeeding Awareness Month in Solano County and celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Breastfeeding Coalition.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
This year’s theme for World Breastfeeding Month is Sustaining Breastfeeding Together and is linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) developed by the United Nation’s world’s leaders in September 2015 and aimed at ending poverty in five major areas of development:
1) Nutrition and food security,
2) Health, well-being and survival,
3) Environment and climate change,
4) Work productivity, empowerment and social protection, and
5) Sustainable partnerships and rule of law.
The Breastfeeding Coalition of Solano County was established in 1997 to provide breastfeeding education to the community and provide a venue for networking and coordination of perinatal services. The Coalition recognizes that breastfeeding plays a role in the human life cycle in many ways. It is the first and most optimal nutrition available for developing infants. It is a key component in food security in many of our underserved populations who are economically disadvantaged, and breastmilk provides optimal cognitive, emotional and physiological attributes for babies, providing a foundation for health and well-being.
Breastfeeding on demand provides all the water a baby needs, even in hot weather. On the other hand, formula feeding requires access to clean water, hygiene and sanitation. When there are natural or weather-related disasters, breastfeeding safeguards infant health and nutrition during these times of adversity.
Breastfeeding is more ecological and entails less waste compared to formula feeding. Formula production typically requires dairy farming which puts pressure on natural resources and has been documented to contribute to carbon emissions and creates industrial waste.
Breastfeeding women who are supported by their employers are more productive and loyal. Maternity protection and other workplace policies can enable women to combine breastfeeding and their other work or employment. Solano County has created policies to provide private pumping rooms for all employees. Since 2011, 45 women have used the employee pumping rooms in the County buildings, allowing them to provide nourishing breastmilk for their infants. One employee quoted, “I’m thankful the building had such a nice set up for lactating mothers; it made me proud to be a Solano County employee”.
Because breastfeeding affects many areas of life, it is important that all programs and organizations create partnerships to provide support and education on breastfeeding. This starts with school curriculum on the emotional and physiological aspects of breastfeeding, continued through prenatal care and followed through with postpartum and pediatric care. Breastfeeding affects the workplace, the environment, and policies regarding chronic disease prevention. Laws have been put into place to protect breastfeeding mothers and babies and maternity laws continue to be reviewed with the goal of accommodating parents to bond with their babies. Breastfeeding is not just a mother’s issue; it is a public health issue.
This year, the Breastfeeding Coalition proudly celebrates their 20th Anniversary of collaborating with community partners, hospitals and clinics to provide seamless breastfeeding support throughout the county. To commemorate World Breastfeeding Month, the Breastfeeding Coalition will partner with the More Excellent Way Breastfeeding Peer Counseling program to sponsor a health fair on August 6 from 1-4:30 pm at the JFK Library in Vallejo. In addition, the Solano County Lactation Clinic at 2101 Courage Drive, Fairfield will have Lactation Consultants available daily from August 1-7th (Monday through Friday) for anyone in the community who would like breastfeeding assistance or information.
FINANCIal impact:
The H&SS staff time associated with the planned Breastfeeding Awareness activities is budgeted within H&SS’s Fiscal Year 2017/18 budget. There is no County General Fund impact.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board may choose not to adopt the Resolution. This is not recommended, as breastfeeding is a natural, cost-effective and environmentally-friendly way to promote infant and mother health and bonding.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
H&SS worked with the County Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program on this Board item and Resolution and the activities related to World Breastfeeding month for September 2017.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION