Athens, Ga. (August 5, 2025) – Join Piedmont Athens in celebrating Breastfeeding Awareness Month this August, a time to foster conversations about creating support systems for breastfeeding families.

“Understanding the impacts and benefits of breastfeeding is essential for new mothers and their children,” explains Shannon Romano, an international board-certified lactation consultant at Piedmont Athens Regional. Romano works with both prenatal and postnatal mothers to promote and support breastfeeding. “Breastmilk not only strengthens a baby’s immune system—helping to prevent infections, diseases, and chronic conditions—but also supports maternal health by reducing the risk of various cancers, heart disease, and diabetes. It’s a powerful, natural bond that nurtures both body and connection.”

Piedmont Athens Regional offers a variety of resources to support breastfeeding mothers, including the “Breastfeeding Basics” class. This prenatal class educates mothers on foundational breastfeeding techniques, including how to establish a healthy milk supply, prevent and manage common feeding challenges, and recognize signs that a baby is getting enough to eat.

Additionally, Breastfeeding Support Groups are held multiple times a week at no cost. These groups are hosted by Romano and Jessica Greco, RN, BSN, CLC, and provide a welcoming space for breastfeeding mothers to learn, troubleshoot, and support one another.

Breastmilk strengthens a baby’s immune system, helping to prevent colds, ear infections, respiratory and diarrheal illnesses, and reduces the risk of type 1 diabetes and certain childhood cancers. For mothers, breastfeeding lowers the risk of breast, uterine, endometrial, and ovarian cancers, reduces the risk of postpartum hemorrhage, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. It also contains vital antibodies that protect infants from illness and triggers the release of hormones that promote bonding and support the natural breastfeeding cycle.