City of Hendersonville and Henderson County proclaimed Breastfeeding Family Friendly Communities

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There is exciting news from Henderson County, North Carolina! On November 18th, 2020, the Henderson County Board of Commissioners proclaimed Henderson County to be a Breastfeeding Family Friendly Community. Read the Henderson County Proclamation here.

This followed a similar proclamation on September 3rd, 2020, by the City of Hendersonville as a Breastfeeding Family Friendly Community. The City of Hendersonville Proclamation was presented by Steven E. Smith, Henderson County Health Directory and Barbara G. Volk, City of Hendersonville Mayor. Read the City of Hendersonville Proclamation here.

…breastfeeding can reduce development of diabetes as much as 30 to 40% and said he appreciated the support of City Council and the community in creating the right environment and policies which improves the mother’s health and the health of the infant. Mayor Barbara Volk and City Council proclaimed the City of Hendersonville as a Breastfeeding Family Friendly Community. By providing a supportive and welcoming environment, a breastfeeding friendly community safeguards the health of mothers and infants and encourages families of all races and ethnicities to continue breastfeeding.

Steven E. Smith, Henderson County Health Director

Contact Information

The Henderson County Breastfeeding Coalition is made up of interested community members and is always seeking new members. If interested in joining, please contact WIC Director and Breastfeeding Program Coordinator.

News

City of Hendersonville Proclamation

City of Hendersonville Proclamation - Breastfeeding Family Friendly Community - full text
       WHEREAS, families of all races and ethnicities are a priority in the City of Hendersonville, and part of helping families to thrive is ensuring that they receive community support to develop and sustain healthy lifestyles; and
       WHEREAS, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, American Academy of Family Physicians, and other leading health organizations, breastfeeding is the optimal food for infants; and
       WHEREAS, a parent’s decision to breastfeed should be supported by family members, employers, and community; and
       WHEREAS, breastfeeding is associated with lower rates of infant mortality, childhood illness, such diabetes, and infectious diseases, as well as reduced risk of maternal breast and ovarian cancers and a faster recovery from childbirth as compared to formula feeding; and 
       WHEREAS, breastfeeding promotes bonding, benefits the entire family, and is associated with lifelong health and development; and
       WHEREAS, collaborating with healthcare providers and community resources can positively impact breastfeeding success; and
       WHEREAS, our community encourages our hospitals, AdventHealth Hendersonville, and Pardee Hospital, to pursue the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative designation; and
       WHEREAS, by providing a supportive and welcoming environment, a breastfeeding friendly community safeguards the health of mothers and infants, and encourages families of all races and ethnicities to continue breastfeeding; 
       NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Hendersonville does hereby proclaim the City of Hendersonville to be a 
 “Breastfeeding Family Friendly Community.”
       PROCLAIMED this 3rd Day of September 2020

Breastfeeding Friendly Businesses

Let’s celebrate breastfeeding-friendly businesses and organizations in Hendersonville and Henderson County! The businesses listed in the “Find a Business” tab below have been formally recognized for their support of breastfeeding, chestfeeding, and human milk feeding families. Welcoming lactating families is part of making breastfeeding the norm in our community. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to your business for all that you do to support breastfeeding, chestfeeding, and human milk feeding. Thank you for your support!

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Lactating Parents Returning to Work

The Making It Work Tool Kit is a resource to help breastfeeding employees return to work. It is designed to provide assistance to lactating employees, their employers and their families.

Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care

The North Carolina Division of Public Health, Nutrition Services Branch, has announced that the North Carolina Breastfeeding-Friendly Child Care Designation (NC BFCCD) is accepting applications from childcare programs in Henderson County.

Logo and text for North Carolina Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care Designation

The NC BFCCD recognizes and promotes childcare programs that implement practices and policies to create a breastfeeding-friendly environment for their families and staff.

“Childcare programs are essential partners in supporting parents’ infant feeding goals…In North Carolina, over 80% of parents initiate breastfeeding…However, when children are routinely cared for by someone other than their parents, parents are less likely to achieve their breastfeeding goals…[Families] are looking for childcare programs that will contribute to their breastfeeding success…”

Through the NC Department of Health and Human Services, child care programs are awarded the NC Breastfeeding-Friendly Child Care Designation for achieving five standards of breastfeeding-friendly child care. The standards – written policy, community connections, professional development, environment, and curriculum – are based on the 10 Steps to Breastfeeding-Friendly Child Care from the Carolina Global Breastfeeding Institute.