Milton, FL– The Florida Department of Health in Santa Rosa County (DOH-Santa Rosa) Women’s Infants, and Children (WIC) Department is celebrating World Breastfeeding Week from August 1 – 7, 2022. DOH-Santa Rosa WIC is inviting everyone to join our celebration on August 4, 2022, from 10 AM – 12 PM at the Milton Public Library located at 5541 Alabama Street in Milton. This event is designed to unite families in support of breastfeeding mothers and infants in Santa Rosa County. Light refreshments will be available, as well as toddler activities, and gift bags for parents. The event is open to all families in the community.  

“We are really excited to honor our breastfeeding families with an in-person event this year” said Lis Jordan, WIC Breastfeeding Program Coordinator, and International Board- Certified Lactation Consultant. “The pandemic challenges were difficult for many new parents, and we want them to know how remarkable they really are.”      

DOH-Santa Rosa WIC program offers numerous resources to help mothers become skilled and confident with breastfeeding so they can go on to raise healthy and happy babies. “Breastfeeding is a unique experience for all parents,” Lis said, “and my hope is that families in our community feel supported along the way. Our WIC breastfeeding support team is passionately committed to helping in any way we can.” WIC offers the following breastfeeding services at DOH-Santa Rosa:  

• An International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) with experience and a high level of specialized knowledge in breastfeeding is available to assist clients. Lis Jordan is available 7 days per week to answer questions and offer support to mothers who have made the important decision to breastfeed.   
• Breastfeeding Peer Counselors provide mother-to-mother basic breastfeeding education and support to pregnant and breastfeeding moms. Counselors are mothers who have successfully breastfed their own children and faced the same issues as breastfeeding mothers.  
• Weekly breastfeeding classes are offered to all pregnant mothers in Santa Rosa County. Classes are taught by certified breastfeeding staff and are held every Thursday in the Milton office and every other Tuesday in the Midway office. Times vary to meet participants’ needs.   
• The Milky Way breastfeeding support group is open to all pregnant and/or breastfeeding families in the community, as well as nursing babies and toddlers. This group meets the first Thursday of every month at the Milton Public Library from 10 am- 12 pm. 

For more information on DOH-Santa Rosa WIC programs or to schedule services call 850-983-5250 or visit DOH-Santa Rosa. 

To learn more about National Breastfeeding Month and the benefits of breastfeeding visit U.S. Breastfeeding Committee, La Leche League International, or Florida Breastfeeding Coalition.  

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.