Media Advisory

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Wednesday, August 5, 2015

WHAT

Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) and its partners invite the public to learn more about the health benefits of breastfeeding for infants and mothers at several free community events planned during the 23rd Annual World Breastfeeding Week, Aug. 1 to Aug 7.

The Contra Costa Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program hosts daily celebrations at public health centers across the county featuring breastfeeding education, referrals and community resources.

WHEN:

Wednesday, Aug. 5: 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Concord WIC Site*, 2355 Stanwell Circle in Concord, and also at the Brentwood Health Center, 171 Sand Creek Road, Suite A in Brentwood.

Thursday, Aug. 6: 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Richmond WIC Site*, 100 38th Street in Richmond.

Friday, Aug. 7: 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Pittsburg Health Center, 2311 Loveridge Road in Richmond.

* The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano Counties will offer free produce to attendees at these events.

Aug. 1 to Aug. 7: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily at Contra Costa Regional Medical Center, 2500 Alhambra Road in Martinez. The "Breast Milk Express" pulls into the main lobby, with resources and referrals to assist breastfeeding and ideas about how to make breastfeeding "work at work."

WHY:

Breastfeeding is important to community health. Research shows that infants who are breastfed for at least the first six months experience five times fewer illnesses, three times fewer ear infections and are less likely to develop asthma or become obese. Mothers who breastfeed lose postpartum weight faster and have lower risks of ovarian and breast cancer.

World Breastfeeding Week, celebrated in more than 170 countries, is intended to highlight the important health benefits of breastfeeding.

For more information, visit cchealth.org/wic/breastfeeding. For 24-hour help, call the Contra Costa Breastfeeding Support line at 1-866-878-7767.

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