This press release published at the request of the Florida Department of Health in Alachua County.
This August, The Florida Department of Health is celebrating National Breastfeeding Awareness Month. The theme this year is Support Changes Everything. There are sub-themes for each week in the month focusing on the following: Week 1-Empowered Parents & Partners; Week 2-Investing in our Future; Week 3-Workplace and Work Life; Week 4- Black Breastfeeding Week. Alachua County is working to promote breastfeeding as a vital health activity and encouraging breastfeeding-friendly childcare centers and businesses.
Susie Tanner, Breastfeeding Coordinator for the Alachua WIC Program stated, “A newborn baby has three basic needs; to be warm, to be fed, and to feel secure. Breastfeeding satisfies all three.”
To empower parents during the month of August, all Alachua WIC breastfeeding families will receive a breastfeeding certificate acknowledging their breastfeeding success. WIC also has Breastfeeding Awareness Banners in the clinics and all staff are wearing awareness buttons to show support of breastfeeding.
On Saturday, August 3rd, Alachua WIC participated in the BIG Latch On event at the Historic Thomas Center in Gainesville, hosted by the North Central Florida Breastfeeding Coalition. There were 327 people in attendance, and 113 latches.
Alachua WIC will also be attending the following events:
Wednesday, August 7, 9 - 11 a.m.
Atrium at UF Health Shands Hospital
1600 SW Archer Rd
World Breastfeeding Week Celebration
Wednesday, August 28, 9 – 11 a.m.
Atrium at UF Health Shands Hospital
1600 SW Archer Rd
Black Breastfeeding Week Celebration
To help new mothers find breastfeeding support, visit the
Alachua County Department of Health website to view a revised North Central Florida Breastfeeding Support Resource List.
For more information, visit the
Florida Breastfeeding Coalition's Initiatives website.