Conyers, Ga. (August 18, 2020) – August is National Breastfeeding Awareness Month and Piedmont Rockdale Hospital is joining in the celebration of this year’s theme, Many Voices United. Piedmont Rockdale is dedicated to ensuring every family that chooses breastfeeding receives resources as we support, promote and protect breastfeeding to ensure their success.

“We are well aware of the benefits of breastfeeding for babies and mothers,” said Marilyn A. Beard, RN, ICCE, IBCLC, lactation consultant for Piedmont Rockdale. “Studies show breastfeeding protects babies from various diseases and conditions such as lowering the number of ear infections a baby may get, the development of asthma, or obesity. For mothers, breastfeeding may lower the risk of certain cancers, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and reduces the risk of developing heart disease later in life.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 60 percent of mothers stop breastfeeding earlier than they intended to due to an absence of ongoing support. Piedmont Rockdale’s dedicated lactation program and staff members strive to ensure mothers delivering at the hospital receive education and support while they are in the hospital, as well as access to resources and follow-up after they are discharged.

“Each family's breastfeeding experience is unique, which can present different needs and/or challenges,” said Beard. “Establishing a plan together, we find the techniques that work best for each family to provide the most benefit to babies and moms.”

Online resources can also provide information on the benefits of breastfeeding. The United States Breastfeeding Committee, www.usbreastfeeding.org, has resources dedicated to key facts about breastfeeding during COVID-19. Additional resources can be found from the American Academy of Pediatrics, www.aap.org, and the CDC, www.cdc.gov.