CHESAPEAKE, Va. — New and expectant mothers are often encouraged by healthcare professionals and advocates to consider breastfeeding to support their baby's growth and development. But the process can be beneficial for moms as well, from protecting them both against certain illnesses and diseases to helping strengthen the bond between them.
"It really just helps moms to kind of reset their bodies after pregnancy. And then, it gives those babies that good, healthy start to their lives. Along with the health benefits for moms, it helps to reduce risk[s] of certain breast cancers, cervical cancers, type 2 diabetes, even hypertension. And then, for the babies, it helps to reduce their possibility of becoming obese. It helps to reduce SIDS by 50 percent, which is that sudden infant death syndrome. And it really just helps to build up their immune systems, their gut health," said Kia Allen-Silvels, breastfeeding coordinator for the Chesapeake Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program.
WIC is a nutrition education program that is federally funded and provides free resources to people who are low-income or nutritionally at-risk.
Allen-Silvels is also an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant, or IBCLC. These healthcare professionals specialize in the clinical management of breastfeeding and lactation.
"We really have the same certification as the nurses in the hospital. So, we really cover a wide variety of different latching issues, breast issues," Allen-Silvels said. "So, if anyone was having any issues getting their baby to latch onto the breast, if they're experiencing pain-- which they're not supposed to experience, breastfeeding should not be painful-- then they would come to an IBCLC, where we can get down to the root of the issue. That way, they can really have a successful breastfeeding journey."
Daissy Torres with the Norfolk WIC program is also an IBCLC.
"We have seen a huge jump in the percentage of moms and families who are starting breastfeeding and are continuing breastfeeding, including exclusively breastfeeding," Torres said. "It is important for our community to know that there is support out there. A lot of times, they do not know where to go, but they do have WIC. And knowing WIC is where it starts, and then that way we can provide more resources, more supplies, more support, it's very important."
Both the Norfolk and Chesapeake WIC programs recently earned the U.S. Department of Agriculture's 2024 Gold WIC Breastfeeding Award of Excellence for exceptional breastfeeding support, promotion, and activities. According to a news release, the two departments received the only Gold WIC Awards in Virginia this year, and the honor marks the second consecutive award for Chesapeake WIC. Awards are valid for four years.
Chesapeake WIC Coordinator Joy Monton said the recognition reflects the agency's devotion to healthy mothers and babies.
"This is given so that other districts will follow suit and strengthen their breastfeeding programs as well," Monton said. "And the intent of this award is for more breastfeeding initiation and as well as to increase the length of time for moms to breastfeed, especially for moms on WIC."
Dr. Nancy Welch is the director of the Chesapeake Health Department, which supports the city's WIC program. As a pediatrician, Dr. Welch said she is proud of the program's early and lasting impact on families.
"This excellence doesn't come by accident. This excellence represents the passion, the commitment, the engagement with the parents," Dr. Welch said. "We have a reason we want the mother to be doing this for her and for the baby. And we have to help them understand, and we have to make it easy for them."
WIC programs not only support breastfeeding efforts but provide women and children up to five years old with nutrition resources and access to healthcare.
Applicants have to meet certain categorical, residential, income, and nutrition risk requirements. Click here to find out if you're eligible to participate in the Virginia WIC program. You can also contact your local health department.