Nurturing health: New Mexico WIC and Health Department commemorate National Breastfeeding Month
SANTA FE – Throughout the year, the New Mexico Department of Health (DOH) and the Women, Infant and Children (WIC) program work diligently to support working families focusing on the lactation needs of new parents and their infants. As August marks National Breastfeeding Month, New Mexico joins in adopting the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action's (WABA) theme, emphasizing comprehensive breastfeeding support encompassing needs and rights before, during, and after childbirth, ensuring every parent's optimal conditions for breastfeeding.
"National Breastfeeding Month is a time to remember that every parent should have the best support for breastfeeding," explained Deputy Cabinet Secretary Laura Parajón. "By working together with the New Mexico WIC program and the DOH, we're making sure families can easily get trustworthy advice, expert help with breastfeeding, and other important resources."
While breastfeeding presents challenges for working families, fostering lactation support is a collective responsibility for government, healthcare, and community providers.
In alignment with this year's initiative, the DOH's Maternal and Child Epidemiology program collaborates with the New Mexico WIC program, launching a social media campaign to promote WIC's multifaceted breastfeeding support. This support includes online or in-person classes, peer counselor assistance, evidence-based information, and access to breast pumps.
WIC extends advanced breastfeeding support through trained designated breastfeeding experts, comprising WIC nutritionists with either an international board-certified lactation consultant or a certified lactation counselor credential. The campaign highlights the availability of resources in education, healthy foods, farmers markets, and breastfeeding assistance provided by WIC.
In addition, the New Mexico Breastfeeding Taskforce's website hosts a wealth of resources offering education and support for individuals seeking lactation assistance.
Families can find online resources and apply, if eligible, for New Mexico WIC services at nmwic.org.
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