‘Family Fun Day’ Event Held August 3 in Waukegan

The Lake County Health Department’s Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) invites pregnant women, parents, and families to a “Family Fun Day” held on Saturday, August 3, 2019, from 9:00 a.m. to noon outside the Belvidere Medical Building (2400 Belvidere Road, Waukegan). In celebration of World Breastfeeding Week, the event will feature participation in the “Big Latch On,” where breastfeeding moms come together across the world to latch their babies at the same time with the support of their partners and family.

During the event, families can play games and win prizes, learn about breastfeeding, WIC and other local resources, enjoy light refreshments, and participate in scheduled activities:

• 9:30 a.m. Exercise Class
• 10:30 a.m. ‘Big Latch On’
• 11:00 a.m. Healthy Cooking Demonstration

"We want Lake County moms to know that breastfeeding is a natural and healthy choice for you and your baby,” said Mark Pfister, Health Department Executive Director. “Our aim for this event is for parents to leave empowered to choose breastfeeding so their children have a healthy start to their lives.”

The Lake County Health Department’s WIC program has four Breastfeeding Peer Counselors available at five locations throughout the county, including Waukegan, North Chicago, Zion, Round Lake Beach, and Highland Park.

WIC mothers are strongly encouraged to breastfeed their infants unless there is a medical reason not to. Health experts recommend exclusive breastfeeding (nothing but breast milk) for six months and continued breastfeeding after a baby begins solid food up to age one or two. Human milk is full of antibodies that help protect babies from many diseases, including ear infections, respiratory infections, diarrhea, allergies, leukemia and diabetes. Breastfeeding can even help mothers reduce their risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, diabetes and heart disease.

For more information on Family Fun Day, visit health.lakecountyil.gov. In the event of rain, the celebration will be held in the lower level conference room in the Belvidere Medical Building.

To make an appointment with WIC, or for more support and information about breastfeeding, call (847) 377-8420.

Family Fun Day partners include A Safe Place, Catholic Charities, Child Serv, Family Focus, Inc., OneHope United, and the University of Illinois Extension. Other community organizations wishing to participate may contact Courtney Adams at (847) 377-8752.

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