Prenatal & Postnatal
The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services recognizes the importance of
breastfeeding in promoting women and children’s health in Los Angeles County. The
mission of the Breastfeeding Support Program is to support, educate, and create
positive changes surrounding breastfeeding and lactation services in Los Angeles
County.
Breastfeeding is the most complete form of infant nutrition. Breastmilk contains
crucial antibacterial, antiviral, and antiallergenic factors that naturally boost a
baby’s immune system after birth. Studies have shown that infants who are breastfed
exclusively are at decreased risk for ear infections, respiratory infections,
diarrhea, bacterial infections, allergies, asthma, and childhood obesity than infants
who are formula fed. For these reasons and more, the American Academy of Pediatrics
(AAP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend exclusive breastfeeding for
the first six months of life.
Current Breastfeeding Support Programs
- Employee Lactation Accommodation Rooms
- Welcome Baby Packages
- Breastfeeding Education
- Breastfeeding Awareness Month
- Employee Childbirth and Breastfeeding Classes
- Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative Project
Breastfeeding Resources and Links for Parents
- National Women's Health Information Center Breastfeeding Homepage - A project of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women's Health
- Breastfeeding Taskforce of Greater Los Angeles - Dedicated to improving the health and well being of infants and families through education, outreach, and advocacy to promote and support breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding Resources and Links for Professionals
- California Department of Health Services Breastfeeding Program - Reports and publications including hospital breastfeeding statistical tables by county.
- Ad Council National Breastfeeding Awareness Campaign - Download "Baby's were born to be breastfed" Public Service Announcement video/audio clips and print ads.
- Breastfeeding Pharmacology - Breastfeeding and medications forum, hosted by Dr. Thomas Hale, R.Ph., Ph.D., International registry for lactation research.
- Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM) - Worldwide organization of physicians dedicated to the promotion, protection and support of breastfeeding and human lactation.
- American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Recommendations on Breastfeeding for Healthy Term Infants (PDF File)
Activities/Services:
- Weekly visits during the first month following enrollment
- Biweekly visits for the remainder of the pregnancy
- Weekly visits during the first six weeks after delivery
- Biweekly visits thereafter through the 21st month of childhood
- Monthly visits until the child reaches age two
