CHENANGO COUNTY - The theme for World Breastfeeding Week this year is “Prioritize Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems” – a call to action to build lasting, equitable support for breastfeeding mothers everywhere.

This year’s theme will focus on the environment and climate change. It will highlight our role in supporting breastfeeding to create a sustainable environment while simultaneously reducing the impact of climate change caused by artificial formula feeding.

World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated every year from August 1-7 throughout the globe to encourage breastfeeding and improve the health of babies around the world.

The Breastfeeding Partners of Chenango County Coalition are working together to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding in Chenango County. The partnership’s goal is to inform the community that breastfeeding is more than just food. It provides the best start for babies and is an essential part of overall health that lasts a lifetime. To celebrate World Breastfeeding Week, the Partnership members will be doing the following activities in Chenango County to support World Breastfeeding Week:

The Chenango County WIC program will kick off the week with an informational table about Breastfeeding at Music in the Park during the Summer Concert Series in East Park in Norwich on Thursday, August 7th, 2025, from 6-8 pm. They will also have information about services provided by the Chenango County WIC Program. Stop by and visit staff members from the coalition.

Chenango County Public Health Nursing and the Breastfeeding Partnership Coalition will host a table at Colorscape on September 6th and 7th, and they have an art project planned for children. Look for their tent near the library entrance in Non-Profit Row during this event.

We will be sharing important breastfeeding resources with health care providers throughout Chenango County. We have developed new brochures, magnets and research based educational resources to share during the month of August.

Breast milk is a natural, renewable food that is environmentally safe. Breastfeeding is produced and delivered without pollution, packaging or waste and is a sustainable solution that is good for the planet and all people. When breastfeeding is protected, promoted, and supported, a sustainable environment is created. Exclusive breastfeeding can make an immediate positive impact on climate change.

For more information about World Breastfeeding Week, please visit: www.cdcc.gov/breastfeeding/; www.worldbreastfeedingweek.org; www.health.ny.gov/community/pregnancy/breastfeeding/; www.worldbreastfeedingweek.org/; www.ilca.org.

Persons with questions or requiring additional information may contact the Chenango County Health Department at (607) 337-1660.

- Information from the Chenango County Health Department