BERRIEN COUNTY, Mich. —  The Berrien County Health Department in partnership with the Berrien County Breastfeeding Coalition will host the second annual “Breastfeeding on the Bluff” event occurring starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 5, in Lake Bluff Park across from the St. Joseph Public Library in St. Joseph, Michigan.

The “Breastfeeding on the Bluff” event takes place on Aug. 5 as part of the “2017 Global Big Latch On,” a global breastfeeding awareness celebration, in which moms across the globe are linked in simultaneous breastfeeding, which occurs annually during World Breastfeeding Week (Aug. 1 to 7).

Mothers, fathers, families and breastfeeding supporters are encouraged to arrive at 10 a.m. for registration, before the “Big Latch On” at 10:30am. Breastfeeding support resources, gifts for moms, face painting for kids, a photo booth, and refreshments for the whole family are provided. Transportation to the event is also provided and can be reserved by calling the Berrien County Health Department.

The Berrien County Breastfeeding Coalition has a mission to provide support for the community by identifying and growing opportunities for on-going breastfeeding support and promotion, normalizing breastfeeding in the community, and ensure that families have the resources needed to have a successful breastfeeding relationship. The Coalition has membership and support from a variety of community organizations, such as Lakeland Health, InterCare Community Health Network, and Michigan State University Extension, as well as representation from breastfeeding mothers and advocates.

“This event is an opportunity to celebrate and support all breastfeeding families in Berrien County and encourage the community support of breastfeeding as a natural part of day-to-day life,” said Mistel de Varona, a breastfeeding peer counselor at the Berrien County Health Department.

In Michigan, 80 percent of mothers initiate breastfeeding after birth; however, at 3 months of age, only 42 percent of babies are still being exclusively breastfed. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend at least six months of exclusive breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding has been proven to have countless health benefits for mothers and babies, as well as long-term positive public health impacts throughout the community. As of June 24, 2014, Michigan mothers who nurse their children in public are protected from discrimination and prosecution under bipartisan legislation signed into law by Governor Rick Snyder. The “Breastfeeding Anti-Discrimination Act” gives women the right to nurse a child in any place that is open to the general public, including stores, restaurants and municipal buses. 

More information can be found at facebook.com/berriencountybreastfeedingcoalition or by calling (269) 926-7121.