Everyone agrees breastfeeding is the best way to feed your baby. Here in the United States, one of the health objectives for the year 2010 is to increase incidence and duration of breastfeeding. The only way that we can do this is to provide education to pregnant women and support to the breastfeeding mom. We as a community have decided to work together to do exactly that.

Breastfeeding advocates are encouraging women to go back to what is normal. Breastfeeding is a natural way to protect your baby from illness. Breast milk is pure, fresh and perfectly suited to the baby. No formula can duplicate the exact balance of nutrients in mother's milk.

Breastfeeding promotes overall health, growth and development, and it helps to prevent infections during infancy, as well as asthma, obesity, diabetes and other chronic illnesses in childhood and later adulthood.

Breastfeeding is a source of important immunities. A breastfeeding mother manufactures antibodies against the germs that threaten her baby and passes them on to the baby through her milk. Breastfeeding gives a mother an opportunity to share a special bond with her baby.

There are many other advantages to breastfeeding:

- The cost - breastfeeding is nearly free.

- Needs no preparation - breast milk needs no refrigeration or sterilization.

- Fewer illnesses and allergies - Breastfed babies have stronger immune systems, are less sensitive to allergens and have fewer colds than bottle-fed babies.

- Helps brain growth - Taurine, an amino acid present in breast milk in large amounts, is important to the development of the central nervous system.

- Prevents tooth decay -Breastfed babies are less susceptible to dental caries and are less likely to need orthodontic corrections.

The Cayuga County Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program encourages its clients to breastfeed. The WIC staff offers support and education to expecting mothers before and after giving birth. Patti Granato, a Certified lactation consultant, and Mary Beth Hogan, R.N. and internationally board certified lactation consultant, work in the WIC office and encourage women daily to take this more natural approach. Once a baby is born, Granato will visit the mother and newborn in the hospital to encourage breastfeeding starts immediately. Mothers can also receive support from the WIC staff in the WIC office at the Breastfeeding Corner.

Sue Derby, R.N. with the Cayuga County Medicaid Obstetrical Maternal Service (MOMS) program, is also a certified lactation consultant. Derby will visit the mother and newborn in the home and assist and support the mother with breastfeeding.

The WIC program also offers a breast pump program. To make breastfeeding a little easier the WIC program has four hospital grade breast pumps that it loans out, after a health assessment of mom and baby is completed.

The WIC program encourages expectant mothers to breastfeed and offers incentive to do so. Breastfeeding women get the standard WIC package, plus an extra food package that includes carrots, tuna fish, dried beans and peas.

Starting Oct. 1, the WIC program will begin a peer counseling program. Women who have successfully breastfed will be trained by WIC staff members to help educate and support other expecting moms. These women will be able to go to the homes after the baby is born and offer more support. Studies have shown that with peer support, there is a higher success rate among women who breastfeed.

If you have questions about the WIC program and breastfeeding, contact WIC staff at 253-1406.

Elane Daly is director of Health and Human Services for Cayuga County. She can be reached at 253-1560 or cchealth@dfa.state.ny.us