Resources for moms and kids at Breastfeeding Awareness Month fair

Aug 22, 2023

AWARENESS — Representatives from the Jefferson County General Health District’s Women, Infants and Children program, as well as various representatives of local resources, gathered in front of drawing items for WIC’s Breastfeeding Awareness Month Resource Fair Friday. -- Christopher Dacanay

STEUBENVILLE — The Jefferson County General Health District celebrated August as Breastfeeding Awareness Month Friday by hosting a fair with crafts, food and information from local resources to benefit mothers and their kids.

The fair, hosted by the health department’s Women, Infants and Children program and held in the community room of the Jefferson County Tower, offered a light luncheon, crafts for kids and drawing baskets for attendees to enjoy. Additionally, representatives from various organizations and businesses had tables offering information.

Stephanie Chester, WIC director and international board certified lactation consultant, said, “WIC, as a program, promotes breastfeeding as the natural way to feed your baby. We just want to bring more awareness to the benefits of breastfeeding.”

Chester said WIC wants to promote how to overcome challenges to breastfeeding because “even though (it’s) a natural thing, sometimes moms need help.” Professionals like herself, Chester said, can offer their expertise in breastfeeding to help mothers successfully breastfeed.

Chester said that more than 75 percent of babies born in Jefferson County initially breastfeed, but that number drops drastically by the time the babies are between 3 and 6 months old.

“A lot of that is due to problems with milk supply or perceived problems with milk supply,” Chester said, “and that’s where the breastfeeding professionals can come in to help answers some of those questions and solve some of those problems.”

“We like to bring community members together who support families in our program,” said Chester, adding that families in their program include those with kids and babies up to age 5 and pregnant mothers. “That also helps to give them more information on breastfeeding and how allowing employees to breastfeed can actually be a positive for the business.”

According to a press release on the fair by the health department, benefits for employers who allow employees to continue breastfeeding after returning to work include “decreased health care costs, decreased employee absenteeism, increase in employee retention, increase in employee morale and loyalty and positive public relations.”

Crystal Wickham, breastfeeding peer helper, said WIC supports breastfeeding through its two certified lactation consultant and through helping moms obtain supplies, including breast pumps, breast milk storage bags, nursing bras and more.

Wickham said WIC has a “messaging service for after-hours because if there’s breastfeeding issues and we’re not in the officer, we always want to be readily available for our moms.” Individuals can reach out to them through Facebook messenger or be directed to the 24-hour hotline for help by the Appalachian Breastfeeding Network.

The WIC staff will also check in with moms they know are breastfeeding through phone calls .

Among other resources represented was the Ohio Buckles Buckeyes program, which health commissioner Andrew Henry said, “provides a free car seat for WIC or Medicaid-eligible parents.” Both regular carseats and high back booster seats are offered through the program, Henry said.

Ashley Braun, owner of Stepping Stones Academy daycare and preschool in Steubenville, discussed her daycare that is now enrolling. Braun said the daycare, which was founded in January, accepts children aged two-and-a-half through 12, with daily meals provided and daily lessons.

Dottie ONeil, a birth doula and bereavement doula who offers childbirth classes, said the she offers private classes, as well as birth classes at Bookmarx Bookstore that will begin the second week of October.

Monica Miller, client services resource coordinator for the Urban Mission, said she iattended g “to try and get more resources out to the community. A lot of people don’t know what all the Urban Mission does.”

Unique services Miller spoke about were the Senior Food Box Program for those older than 60 and who fit other guidelines. The program, Miller said, provides eligible individuals with “an extra box of nonperishable food each month and a big block of cheese.”

Another program provides free glasses for those who do not have insurance or whose insurance does not cover eye exams, Miller said.

Lori Kerr, a pediatric nurse and patient care coordinator for CHANGE Inc. Family Medical Care, was at the fair representing the care service’s pediatricians, and said one pediatrician, Dr. Kailey Littleton, is a certified lactation consultant.

Some of Family Medical Care’s services listed on a flier include adolescent medicine, breastfeeding support and pediatric acute care.

Cookie West, employment and community navigator for the Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities, shared information about Ohio Early Intervention, facilitated by the board. Early intervention, West said, provides service and support for infants and toddlers from birth to age 3 who may have a developmental disability or a young person who has a developmental disability.

West also spoke about Special Connections, a nonprofit that hosts events for kids with disabilities and their families and directs them to resources.

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