Maternal and Child

Health Coalition

of Greater Kansas City

Press Release

Contact: Cesar Motts FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

816.283-6242 Ext. 249 July 28, 2005

KANSAS CITY GEARS UP FOR ANNUAL WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK, AUGUST 1- 7

Kansas City, MO. - The Breastfeeding Taskforce of the Maternal and Child Health Coalition is organizing and participating in several breastfeeding public awareness activities scheduled during World Breastfeeding Week to promote the benefits of breastfeeding throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area. World Breastfeeding Week is the greatest outreach vehicle for the breastfeeding movement, being celebrated in over 120 countries.

The Maternal and Child Health Coalition, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health (OWH) and the Advertising Council are promoting a new national campaign during World Breastfeeding Week that encourages first-time mothers to breastfeed exclusively for six months. The campaign tag line, “Babies were born to be breastfed,” memorably summarizes the clear recommendation contained in the new public service announcements (PSAs).

The Breastfeeding Taskforce will distribute over 2,000 “breastfeeding crib cards” to maternity wards at local hospitals. These cards can be attached to the cribs of newborn infants informing maternity nurses about their mothers’ preference for breastfeeding rather than formula feeding. Also, the Breastfeeding Taskforce will distribute recommended activities for community agencies to implement during World Breastfeeding Week to help increase the initiation and duration rate of breastfeeding.

The United States has one of the lowest rates of breastfeeding in the developed world. While most new mothers initiate breastfeeding, more than one-half discontinue by six months. Recent studies have shown that breastfed babies are less likely to develop ear infections, respiratory illness and diarrhea and may have reduced risk for childhood obesity.

Maternal and Child Health Coalition promotes the health of mothers and children through community planning, education, advocacy and collaboration with organizations addressing infant mortality, immunization, childhood obesity, maternal health and child safety. For more information about World Breastfeeding Week, please contact Cesar Motts at Maternal and Child Health Coalition, 6400 Prospect, Suite 216, Kansas City, Missouri, 64132, office phone (816) 283-6242, ext. 249. Interviews are available upon request. Photos and background materials will be available at:

http://www.mchc.net/PressReleases.htm

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