KING COUNTY, WA - Today, as World Breastfeeding Week gets underway, Public Health - Seattle & King County is drawing attention to the proven advantages of breastfeeding for mother and child and the new state law that protects the right of women to breastfeed in public.

"Breast milk is the perfect food for babies and creates a special relationship between mother and her child that is crucial for strong, healthy communities," said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director of Public Health - Seattle & King County.

"Each year new research reaffirms that breast milk is the optimal nourishment for infants and reduces the risks of ear infections, allergies and respiratory track infections," said Lisa DiGiorgio, a nutrition consultant at Public Health.

"For her part, the mother benefits from reducing the risk of certain kinds of cancer and, most of all, the peace of mind of having a healthy baby," said DiGiorgio.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for approximately six months and continued breastfeeding for at least one year, and thereafter, for as long as mutually desired.

Legislation and breastfeeding in public and at the workplace

Earlier this year, Washington State joined 21 other states by protecting the right of a woman to breastfeed in public and maintaining that breastfeeding or expressing milk is not indecent exposure.

In addition, Washington State joined six other states with laws that encourage employers to support breastfeeding mothers who are returning to work.

"A majority of working women return to work before their babies are six months old. Support in the workplace is essential," said Plough.

• The "Working & Breastfeeding...It's Worth It!" Metro bus sign campaign, which involves Public Health and the Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Washington, promotes ways to successfully breastfeed and work. Visit http://www.hmhbwa.org for information for employers and working mothers. To receive a free packet of this information, call the Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Referral Line at 1-800-322-2588.
  
  
• Public Health's website has extensive information for working mothers and employers and on what mothers say about breastfeeding (English and Spanish), advantages of breastfeeding, local breastfeeding resources, 14 different breastfeeding fact sheets and a glossary of terms. Visit http://www.metrokc.gov/health/breastfeeding

"We encourage mothers to access the many resources that support breastfeeding in our community. Most breastfeeding problems are easily solved. If a mother has a concern, it's important to get help right away from a lactation expert or a medical provider," said DiGiorgio.

"Breastfeeding in the Information Age"

The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action promotes World Breastfeeding Week in over 120 countries in order to raise awareness on breastfeeding. This year's World Breastfeeding Week theme is "Breastfeeding in the Information Age," referring to "the importance of conveying accurate breastfeeding information to the public through all available forms of communication."