The annual breastfeeding march, scheduled for Wednesday, aims to help educate the public

MORGANTOWN – In June 2014, the West Virginia Legislature passed a law affirming the right to breastfeed in public.

This natural act still causes discomfort and breastfeeding mothers are always asked to leave some institutions.

The WIC program of the Monongalia County Health Department, along with the help of other people, wants to change that.

To help educate the public and make pregnant and breastfeeding moms more confident, the 11th Annual Breastfeeding Awareness March will be from 5pm to 7pm On Wednesday, August 1st, at the WVU Erickson Alumni Center

a press release from the County Health Department, the walk is presented by the Women, Infants and Children Program of the Monongalia County Health Department. Sponsors include the Mon Health Medical Center, the WVU Medicine Children & # 39; s and the Cardinal Pediatrics.

Doors open at 4:30 pm There will be a Diaper Derby at 5 pm, a walk around the Erickson Alumni Center at 5:30 pm, refreshments, stories, presentations and raffles at 6 pm

WIC has advisors Breastfeeding to help pregnant women and new mothers who are Lynne Ryan, breastfeeding coordinator, said in a press release that WIC's clients were learning breastfeeding.

In 1991, less than 20% of WIC Mon County's moms tried breastfeeding. Since the expansion of breastfeeding promotion program and the addition of breastfeeding counselors, this number 'continues to increase up to 54%', explains t -he.

The Breastfeeding Awareness March is held in conjunction with the month of August. Week (worldbreastfeedingweek.org), which is this year August 1-7

This year's theme for World Breastfeeding Week is Foundation of Life

Breastfeeding not only helps infants by providing nutrition and by helping the immune system, which "Breastfeeding helps normalize the weight of a new mother, and the state of lactation releases relaxing hormones, which helps her body to rehabilitate after crossing the intestine. "1965a002. The American Academy of Pediatrics also recommends breastfeeding because breast milk contains antibodies that can help the baby fight. According to the health department, breast milk contributes to adequate weight gain and has been associated with higher IQ scores.

MCHD WIC breastfeeding counselors provide tips and tricks for new mothers. how to make the baby snuggle on mom's breast, but also how to feel comfortable doing it in public.

"It's a skill learned to breastfeed in public," Ryan said. "The more confident a woman is, the less people notice her."

MCHD WIC, which includes Monongalia, Preston, Marion, Harrison, Doddridge and Taylor counties, also runs free breastfeeding classes for the public . In Monongalia County, these classes are at 4 pm the first and third Wednesdays of the month and at 10 am on the second Wednesday of the month at the WIC location at 1000 Elmer Prince Drive, Morgantown

The Breastfeeding Awareness March is also open to the public. The raffle prizes include a car seat, a jogging stroller, pack & n play.

There is plenty of free parking on site.