August is National Breastfeeding Month. It is celebrated to bring awareness to the benefits of breastfeeding and to encourage lactating individuals to offer breast milk to their babies the first 6 months. Breastfeeding has tremendous benefits for lactating individuals as well as the babies. Some of the benefits for babies include: preventing constipation, strengthening their immune system, less respiratory illness and higher IQ. Some of these benefits for the lactating individual are: helps with weight loss, helps reduce breast cancer, and fosters bonding with baby. Benefits for the family: it is free; saves money.
August 1-7 is World Breastfeeding Week.
August 8-14 is Indigenous Milk Medicine Week
August 15-21 is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Breastfeeding Week.
August 25-31 is Black Breastfeeding Week.
September 5-11 es la Semana de La Lactancia Latina.
We at GPS will be hosting a luncheon celebration during the Black Breastfeeding Week. Do share and stop by if you get a chance. Our theme this year is Honoring The Mother: Relax, Rejuvenate, Reclaim. Here is the link to RSVP.
Other event happening during this month are as follows:
BLK MAMAS COLLECTIVE and BLKBRY’s event at ALMA Tacoma on August 26th, 2023 at 1322 Fawcett Ave, Tacoma, WA 98402. For more information email blkmamas.seattle@gmail.com.
At GPS we believe support is very important to help pregnant individuals start and continue breastfeeding which is why we have weekly location lounges, IBCLC home visits and lactation hotline for folks around Washington State to call and receive support around breastfeeding.
Lactation Lounges are hybrid every Tuesdays from 10 AM to 12 PM all are welcome to join. Stop by our office at 15203 8th Ave S, Burien, WA or join by using zoom ID 835135111.
Lactation Hotline: 1888-260-1426
We wish everyone a lovely National Breastfeeding Month!
Faisa
