County Board of Supervisors Proclaims Breastfeeding Awareness Month

Ventura, California - August 6, 2008 -- Joining with 120 countries worldwide celebrating World Breastfeeding Month, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors signed a Resolution proclaiming August 2008 to be Breastfeeding Awareness Month. At their August 5 meeting, the Board was joined by the Breastfeeding Coalition of Ventura County (BCVC) in making presentations to the winners of the 3rd Annual Breastfeeding-Friendly Workplace Awards.

The Government Center was buzzing with nursing babies in attendance to support the event, with their mothers in tow. This “nurse-in” celebration by moms and babies was to show their appreciation for the Board's recognition of the public health benefits of breastfeeding. The meeting was followed by a lawn picnic of nursing mothers, babies, and fathers organized informally by local nursing mothers, La Leche League, and local lactation professionals.

The Breastfeeding Coalition of Ventura County (BCVC) is a group of agencies and individuals throughout the County working together to promote maternal and child health and to establish breastfeeding as the cultural norm through education, support and outreach. This was their third Annual Breastfeeding-Friendly Workplace Awards which recognizes business, organizations and childcare providers nominated for their exceptional support of good breastfeeding practices within their organization.

This year's winner's are:

1. Bright Horizons Family Solutions at Camp Amgen .  (Category: large business)
2.  Nava & Gomez, Attorneys at Law (Category: small business) Michelle Chernikoff Anderson and her 10-month-old nursing son accepted the award for their husband/father, Santos Gomez.

3.   Children First Ventura County (Category: non-profit)

Mothers who work outside the home initiate breastfeeding at the same rate as mothers who stay at home. However, the breastfeeding continuance rate declines sharply among mothers who return to work. Several federal initiatives have directly addressed breastfeeding in the workplace. Evidence has shown that workplace lactation programs are highly effective in raising breastfeeding rates, increasing employee retention, reducing absenteeism among parents of breastfed children, and reducing health care expenses.

For information, visit www.breastfeedventura.org .
Contact: IamMandala@aol.com
Or Phone 805-640-1417