This year, WBW focuses on breastfeeding as a human right. Breastfeeding is a right of mothers and makes a major contribution to the realization of the child's right to food, health and care. Research also indicates that breastfeeding is extremely beneficial to both the infant and mother.

The Women, Infants and Childrens Program (WIC) of Stanislaus County will be celebrating WBW on August 4 at 3:00 p.m. at 108 Campus Way in Modesto. Breastfeeding women participating in the WIC program in Stanislaus County are invited to attend this special social event. The celebration will feature a raffle with prizes and free health information for attendees. There are approximately 1000 women in the WIC program that breastfeed.

The second annual Stanislaus County WIC World Breastfeeding Week celebration is part of an ongoing effort to highlight the benefits of breastfeeding and affirm people who make the choice to breastfeed.

The Stanislaus County WIC program has recently made improvements to its program that include: the training of three staff to become Certified Lactation Counselors; expansion of the breast pump loan program; and involvement in the Breastfeeding Coalition of Stanislaus County, which is working to improve breastfeeding promotion throughout Stanislaus County.

A list of WIC clients who can be interviewed is available.

The Stanislaus County Health Services Agency (HSA) is an outpatient medical system with 9 medical offices located throughout Stanislaus County. The HSA operates the Public Health Department, an Urgent Care Center and multiple programs serving over 400,000 patients and clients each year in Stanislaus County. The HSA also is in local partnerships for the MOMobile project and the Stanislaus Family Practice Residency Program. The HSA has extensive community health information available at its web site www.schsa.org