HOUSTON – The Houston Health Department WIC (Women, Infants and Children) program highlights the overwhelming benefits of breastfeeding this August, National Breastfeeding Awareness Month.
A mother’s decision to breastfeed provides many short and long-term health benefits for her and her baby, including a reduced risk of:
- Heart Disease
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Ovarian/Breast Cancer
- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
- Obesity
- Ear and Respiratory Infections
- Asthma
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends infants be exclusively breastfed for about the first six months with continued breastfeeding alongside the introduction of appropriate complementary foods for one year or longer.
“The health benefits of breastfeeding are remarkable and that’s why it’s such a large focus of the education we provide through WIC,” said Zahra Koopaei, HHD WIC director. “We’re here to help support our clients through their breastfeeding journey.”
WIC provides nutritious foods and nutrition education to pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, women who have given birth in the last six months and children up to age 5 who have nutrition health-related problems. Single fathers, grandparents and foster parents are also eligible for WIC services for their children.
WIC’s goal is to reduce premature births, low birth weight, the fetal death rate and long-term medical expenses.
United States citizenship is not required to become a WIC client.
For more information about HHD WIC, including eligibility and clinic locations, contact 832-393-5427 or visit houstonhealth.org.
