Breastfeeding Promotion & Support
The Family Health Division’s Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health (MCAH) and Nutrition Services Program promotes and supports public health efforts to make breastfeeding the normal method of infant feeding and nutrition for at least the first 6 months of life. Breast milk is the most complete form of nutrition for infants, with a range of benefits for health, growth, immunity, and development.
News and Hot Topics
Information for Families Benefits of breastfeeding for Infants:
The factors in the breast milk protect infants from a wide variety illnesses Breastfeeding promotes infant-mother bonding Breastfeeding saves money Breastfeeding prevents obesity in infants and the mother Breastfeeding can prevent other diseases and conditions Reduced risk of diabetes, asthma, allergies, overweight/obesity, and certain cancer Enhanced visual, motor, and oral development and Higher IQ and school performance Benefits of breastfeeding for Mothers:
Breastfeeding helps the uterus to shrink to its pre-pregnancy state andreduces the amount of blood lost after delivery Mothers who breastfeed for at least 3 months may lose more weightthan mothers who do not breastfeed Breastfeeding mothers usually resume their menstrual cycles 20 to 30weeks later than mothers who do not breastfeed Breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast and ovarian cancer Breastfeeding may reduce the risk of osteoporosis, postpartum depression, overweight/obesity
Breastfeeding education and support prenatal and postpartum Individual breastfeeding counseling Access to electric, manual and pedal breast pumps Breastfeeding handouts in English, Spanish and Vietnamese Breastfeeding Helpline (714) 834-8363 Breastfeeding friendly clinic settings Special World Breastfeeding Awareness Month activities Free access to a certified Lactation Educator Referrals to Lactation Consultants in the community Need Help With Breastfeeding? Information for Professionals and Hospitals
Information for County Employees
Breastfeeding Statistics
Additional Links/ Resources
For more information, call the Health Referral Line (800) 564-8448 TDD (phone for the hearing impaired) (800) 801-7100
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