KCHD to Host Free Event Celebrating World Breastfeeding Week
Knoxville Prepares for an Empowering Event for Mothers
The Knox County Health Department (KCHD) is excited to host its annual celebration for World Breastfeeding Week. The event, scheduled to take place at the Knoxville Museum of Art, aims to recognize and support breastfeeding mothers by providing a communal space where they can share their experiences and gather vital resources.
Event Highlights
The theme of this year’s event, “Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All,” emphasizes the importance of providing comprehensive support to breastfeeding mothers. The event will include a number of activities, such as:
- T-shirt painting
- Story time
- Goodie bags for the first 75 attendees
The Importance of Community Support
The breastfeeding coordinator for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program, highlights the key role of support in successful breastfeeding. “Breastfeeding is one of the best things a mother can do to protect the health of her infant. However, we often see a decrease in breastfeeding rates as women return to work. As a community, we need to enhance our support for mothers and their breastfeeding efforts.”
Why Breastfeeding Matters
Breastfeeding has been linked to a lower risk of several health issues for babies, such as diabetes and obesity. The longer a baby is breastfed, the lower their chances of becoming an overweight child. Further, the active contribution of family, friends, community, healthcare providers, and employers can significantly improve a mother’s success rate in breastfeeding.
Legal Support and Rights
It’s also worth noting that state laws protect a mother’s right to breastfeed in public spaces, including businesses. This ensures that breastfeeding mothers can continue to nourish their babies wherever necessary.
About the WIC Program
KCHD’s WIC Program is designed to assist pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, in addition to infants and children under five who meet eligibility criteria. The program includes services like offering healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to healthcare services. More information about eligibility and the services provided by WIC can be found on their official platform.
Author: STAFF HERE KNOXVILLE WRITER
KNOXVILLE STAFF WRITER The KNOXVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREKnoxville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Knoxville, Knox County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Dogwood Arts Festival, Big Ears Festival, and Knoxville Asian Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership and United Way of Greater Knoxville, plus leading businesses in healthcare, education, and energy that power the local economy such as Covenant Health, University of Tennessee, and Tennessee Valley Authority. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
