July 26, 2024
August Proclaimed Breastfeeding Month in Skagit County, New Lactation Pod Installed at Superior Court
On Tuesday, July 23rd, the Skagit Board of County Commissioners declared August as Breastfeeding Month in Skagit County. The Skagit County Lactation Coalition delivered a presentation during Tuesday’s proclamation hearing highlighting the health benefits of breastfeeding for both baby and parent, while also calling attention to barriers that exist in our community that may impede a parent’s breastfeeding journey.
Breastfeeding has many known health benefits for infants, children, and birthing parents and is a key strategy to improve public health. According to the National Association of County and City Health Officials and United States Breastfeeding Committee, human milk is the ideal first food uniquely suited for infants’ optimal growth and development. Breastfeeding has a substantial impact on the birthing persons’ health, which makes lactation support critical for improving community health. From greater immunity to infection, reduction of incidence of infant mortality and SIDS, and greater bonding and attachment between baby and parent, there are many incredible reasons for a caregiver to provide their infant with human milk.
Teri Shilling, Chair of the Lactation Coalition, shared the coalition’s new website which includes a local resource directory and helpful information to guide families on their infant feeding journey. Tina Story, a lactation consultant nurse from Skagit Valley Hospital’s Family Birth Center highlighted some gains in support for families in the past year, including the availability of donor milk, new outreach efforts to ensure families can access local feeding supports, advanced training for birth center staff at local hospitals, and education for medical students and residents at Skagit Valley Hospital. Val Chilcote, a breastfeeding peer counselor from Community Action’s WIC program, shared the many ways that WIC can help families with their infant feeding needs and how important peer support is for overcoming barriers.
New Lactation Pod at Skagit County Superior Court
As part of Skagit County’s work to support employees and court participants with private spaces to pump, Skagit County Superior Court has installed a lactation pod for the Superior Court building. In 2023, the Washington State Administrative Office of Courts opened a grant opportunity to support courthouses around the state to increase the accessibility of public lactation rooms, given the long periods of time people often spend in court. Skagit County Superior Court applied for funding and was awarded $31,058.79 to cover the entire lactation pod installation. The lactation pod, which is located on the third floor of the Superior Court building, is open for use by court participants and Skagit County staff during business hours. A member of the Superior Court staff will provide interested users with a door code to access the pod.
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