In support of Breast Cancer Prevention and Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Brownwood WIC encourages family members, healthcare providers, employers and the community to support breastfeeding mothers.
Many know that breastfeeding gives babies a healthy start in life. It provides the nutrients babies need, helps protect them from infections and boosts their immune system.
But relatively few know that breastfeeding may protect against cancer.
The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding up to 6 months of age, with continued breastfeeding along with appropriate complementary foods.The American Academy of Pediatrics also supports breastfeeding by stating breastfeeding mothers return to their pre-pregnancy weight faster and have a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention associates breastfeeding with numerous health benefits for both infant and mother. Benefits for infants include reduced risk of severe lower respiratory tract infections, diarrhea, childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes. According to CDC, benefits for women also include reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancers and possibly post partum depression.
Pictured above are: (Top Row, left to right) Dina Lopez, Anabel Morales, Rosa Ochoa, Lisa Dick, (bottom row, left to right) Dawn Means, and Brandy Mobley. Brownwood WIC has been designated by Texas as a Mother Friendly Worksite that proactively supports their employees who choose to breastfeed their infants.
