Health Division kicks off Milk-N-Moms event

Oakland County Health Division's Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program is hosting the Milk-N-Moms Breastfeeding Bash at Catalpa Oaks County Park in Southfield on Friday, Aug. 16, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This free event, which promotes the benefits of breastfeeding for National Breastfeeding Awareness Month, will feature kid activities, ice cream, Zumba, breastfeeding information and more. "Breast milk is an important part of a child's development because it contains nutrients and antibodies that cannot be matched in formula," said Kathy Forzley, manager/health officer for the Health Division. "Breastfeeding can help protect your baby against ear infections, lower respiratory infections, asthma, obesity and Type 2 diabetes." There are health benefits for mothers as well. Breastfeeding helps shield them from breast cancer, ovarian cancer, Type 2 diabetes and postpartum depression. It also helps women return to pre-pregnancy weight, reduces risk of anemia, and provides unique bonding experiences for a mother and her child. The WIC program enables families to eat well and stay healthy by providing supplemental healthy foods, nutrition counseling and education, breastfeeding support, immunizations, referrals to health care, public health nurses, registered dietitians, and many other helpful services. WIC is open to low- to middle-income pregnant women; infants; children under five years; women who recently had a baby up to six months after delivery, including miscarriages; and breastfeeding women up to one year after delivery. For more information about WIC or the Milk-N-Moms Breastfeeding Bash event, contact 248-858-1272 or visit www.oakgov.com/health or find it on Facebook and Twitter @publichealthOC. Published: Thu, Aug 15, 2013