FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 20, 2010

Billboard Highlights Breastfeeding

Moms Helping Moms is the billboard message that the WIC program at the Randolph County Health Department is spreading to travelers on Hwy 63 South.  Diana Taylor, WIC Coordinator, is happy to be able to use this medium to spread the word that women supporting and encouraging other women to breast feed their babies is an important part of a mother’s feeding choice.  Breastfeeding is not only economical and environmentally friendly, but it contributes to better health for both the mom and the baby.

The Moms Helping Moms message is part of the Loving Support Makes Breastfeeding Work campaign sponsored by the USDA to promote the work of Breastfeeding Peer Counselors in WIC agencies across the country.  The Peer Counselor program has been shown to be an effective way to promote breastfeeding, educate women on the benefits of breast milk and support moms in their decision to provide the best nutrition possible for their infants.

Randolph County WIC has a peer counselor program that is supported by funds from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.  Deanna Crowley, peer counselor, meets with WIC moms during their pregnancy and provides them with information to address their breastfeeding concerns and share ideas on how to make breastfeeding work for them.  After a mom delivers, Deanna contacts them to offer support and encouragement.  Deanna has received extensive training in being a peer counselor, but her most important job qualification is that she is a mom, who has breastfed her children.

The Moms Helping Moms billboard is one of three billboard messages encouraging and promoting breastfeeding that will be seen on Highway 63 this coming year.  The billboard is on the west side of the highway, just North of the Renick turn off.   The effort to display these messages was a local one.  When the WIC office was notified of available funds to purchase billboard space, a local photographer, Barbie Morgan, was contacted to take some pictures of local moms who have breastfed their babies.  Sandra Wales, mother of three, and Lindsay Black, mother of four volunteered to have their photos taken, with their babies, for this project. 

For more information on the Peer Counselor Program, breastfeeding, or WIC, contact the Randolph County Health Department, 423 E. Logan, Moberly.  Or call 660-263-6643 ext 3011 or 3007.  This institution is an equal opportunity provider.