Catholic Charities of Long Island hosts annual walk for Breastfeeding Awareness Month in Freeport

Every year, Catholic Charities of Long Island’s WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) Program hosts an annual walk in Freeport to raise awareness for Breastfeeding Awareness Month.

This year’s event is scheduled for Friday, August 2, 2024, from 10a.m. to 12p.m.

These walks began in 2016, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a break between 2019 and 2021.

The tradition resumed in 2022, and the community has eagerly participated ever since. The WIC program itself has been a cornerstone of support for mothers and children since its establishment in 2010, with its office located in Freeport.

Marlyse Cetoute-Bernardin, the Breastfeeding Coordinator at the WIC program expressed, “We promote we encourage moms, and we protect them and support their breastfeeding journey.”

While WIC has introduced various nutrition programs over the years, its primary focus remains on providing nutritional support for mothers. The program offers food, nutrition education, and referrals, but its core mission is to promote and support breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding offers numerous benefits, both for mothers and their babies. Despite providing formula when necessary, WIC encourages and supports mothers in their breastfeeding journey.

“It’s a healthy way to feed their baby and also healthy way for the mom to have the connection with their babies.” Cetoute-Bernardin explained.

This dedication aligns with the goals of the World Breastfeeding Association, which celebrates Breastfeeding Awareness Month every August. WIC’s participation in this global initiative underscores its commitment to breastfeeding support and advocacy.

Breastfeeding Awareness Month is a time when WIC intensifies its efforts to promote the benefits of breastfeeding. The first week of August is celebrated as World Breastfeeding Week, a global event dedicated to encouraging breastfeeding and supporting mothers.

During this week, WIC offices focus on promoting breastfeeding, offering encouragement, protection, and support to mothers. The benefits of breastfeeding are well-documented.

Breast milk provides essential nutrients and antibodies that protect babies from infections and illnesses. It also fosters a strong emotional bond between mother and baby, which can significantly reduce the risk of postpartum depression.

Cetoute-Bernardin added that, “Studies are shown all the benefits for babies, like healthy wives, so they have infection, but also the most important one is the connection for the mom with the baby that lowers the rates of postpartum depression that we are seeing a lot nowadays.”

Understanding these benefits, WIC staff work tirelessly to support mothers in their breastfeeding journey, acknowledging that it can be challenging but ultimately rewarding.

WIC’s efforts extend beyond individual support; they also aim to educate the community about the importance of breastfeeding and how everyone can help protect and support breastfeeding mothers.

This year’s theme for Breastfeeding Week is “Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All.” WIC’s walk for Breastfeeding Awareness Month invites the entire community to participate.

This includes breastfeeding mothers, pregnant women, mothers who have breastfed, and those who did not but want to support others. Family members and friends are also encouraged to join, creating a supportive network for breastfeeding mothers.

On the third Wednesday of every month, WIC hosts a support group for breastfeeding mothers. During these sessions, prenatal and postpartum mothers receive guidance and encouragement.

WIC also has a peer counselor program, where experienced mothers who have been through the program provide additional support. These peer counselors understand the challenges of breastfeeding and offer invaluable support to new mothers.

“I talked to them about basically what to expect and when they have their baby, the support is still there.” Cetoute-Bernardin further explained that “I have two other peer counselor and …they were also part of the program, so I trained them, and also there are moms, so they have… experience of having a peer counselor, of having someone support them, so they are here to help me also support the other moms.”

Through events like the annual walk and ongoing support groups, WIC strives to create a community that understands, values, and supports breastfeeding, and that celebrates the strength and dedication of mothers.