Concord Farmer's Market To Feature Breastfeeding Booth
CONCORD (CBS SF) -- Moms in search of healthy food for their families could get an extra helping of nutrition information at a breastfeeding booth at Concord's farmers' market Thursday evening.
Sponsored by Contra Costa Health Services' Women, Infants and Children, or WIC, program, the booth will provide information on breastfeeding, nutrition and infant feeding to commemorate World Breastfeeding Week.
The booth will be up and running from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the farmers' market in Todos Santos Plaza at Willow Pass Road and Grant Street.
Eligible new and expecting moms who attend the event would have a chance to take part in WIC, which provides healthful supplemental foods and nutritional education and counseling to low-income mothers of infants and young children, according to county health officials.
Marina Rowoldt, a registered dietitian and the Concord WIC clinic's senior public health nutritionist, said Thursday night's event was meant to give support and guidance to mothers interested in breastfeeding.
"We want to provide an opportunity for new and expectant mothers to learn about breastfeeding, as well as ask questions and get real answers," she said.
According to Rowoldt, about 90 percent of mothers enrolled in the county's WIC program breastfeed their newborns while in the hospital, but just 43 percent continue breastfeeding six months after giving birth.
"We hope to inform families about the benefits of breastfeeding and how to overcome challenges that may go along with it, such as returning to work," she said.
Both WIC and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that mothers breastfeed exclusively for at least six months and up to a year or more, if possible. County health officials said longer breastfeeding can prevent illnesses and help reduce obesity and asthma rates, among other health benefits.
Other World Breastfeeding Week events are scheduled this week at WIC offices in Richmond, Pittsburg and Brentwood.
Those unable to attend these celebrations were encouraged to get free breastfeeding information from a lactation consultant by calling the Contra Costa Breastfeeding Advice Line at (866) 878-7767. More breastfeeding resources can be found at www.cchealth.org/services/breastfeeding/.
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