National Breastfeeding Month

August is National Breastfeeding Month and, together with the North Central Florida Breastfeeding Coalition, UF Health is celebrating and bringing awareness to this important topic. There are significant health benefits for both mother and baby when infants are breastfed or given breast milk. As a Baby-Friendly designated facility, UF Health is committed to providing care to promote, support and protect breastfeeding families.

The United States Breastfeeding Committee has adopted the theme “Every Step of the Way” stating: We envision a world in which every family is supported at every step along the infant feeding journey, with warm and coordinated hand-offs and transitions so that the needs of lactating families and those who support them are anticipated and met, every step of the way.

This is also the goal of UF Health. Coordinated care and education is provided by UF Health at:

• Our obstetrics and gynecology practices, where families seek prenatal and postpartum care
• Birthing classes that help prepare families for delivery, as well as teach them about caring for and feeding their infants
• UF Health Shands Hospital in our delivery and postpartum areas

Families are educated about the potential benefits of breastfeeding and breast milk and taught how to manage the early days of lactation, which are most important. We provide exceptional care to our families while their newborn is in the hospital and connect them with resources in the community after discharge.

As our community continues to work through the COVID-19 pandemic, there are necessary changes that impact new families. Hospital visitors are limited, which may affect the assistance new families have from friends and family while in the hospital. In order to support our families during these challenging times, UF Health has remained committed to keeping breastfeeding education and support consistent. We have increased the frequency of childbirth, newborn care and breastfeeding classes, and they are now available online.

Interested in learning more? Continue to read our breastfeeding awareness blogs during August to find out what’s new and exciting in the way of breastfeeding support. Nursing families are also invited to join the North Central Florida Breastfeeding Coalition for The Big Latch-On at 10 a.m. Aug. 7. Follow the Coalition on Facebook for the Zoom link.