SARASOTA COUNTY, FL—The Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County's (DOH-Sarasota) WIC and Healthy Start Programs in partnership with the Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County, Healthy Sarasota County Collaborative and Healthiest Weight Florida have joined in promoting breastfeeding during August.

On Saturday, Aug. 6, the Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County, Inc. and the Breastfeeding Advocates of Sarasota County (BASC) will host "Latch On Sarasota!" Breastfeeding and pumping moms are encouraged to join these two Latch On events. The north county Latch-On event will take place at the Sarasota Farmer's Market at Lemon Ave. and State St. in Sarasota. The Latch On Sarasota South event is at Hold Me Closer, 218 Harbor Drive S. in Venice. Registration for both events is at 9:30 a.m. with the actual events beginning at 10:30 a.m. The events will feature breastfeeding support workers, resource information and giveaways.

A list of ongoing support groups is provided in a resource list at the end of this release.

Health officials say breastfeeding is an important way to help every child have a healthy start in life. Babies receiving only breast milk for the first six months of life are less likely to develop ear infections, diarrheal diseases, asthma, obesity and respiratory illnesses. Furthermore, breastfeeding for nine months reduces a baby's odds of being overweight by 30 percent. Mothers also benefit from breastfeeding with a decreased risk for breast and ovarian cancers. The Florida Department of Health, local partners and organizations, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, strongly recommend babies exclusively breastfeed for the first six months of life and continue to breastfeed for one to two years. There are a variety of programs and resources to empower breastfeeding moms. Health professionals and peer counselors provide a range of services from right after birth at the hospital to breastfeeding support groups in the community as noted below:

About the Florida Department of Health
The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts. Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.

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cell 941-302-1058;
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Website: www.sarasotahealth.org