Maternal & Child Health program highlights National Breastfeeding Awareness Month 08-14-26

August 14, 2026

Maternal & Child Health program highlights National Breastfeeding Awareness Month

MOBILE, Ala. — On Tuesday, in recognition of National Breastfeeding Awareness Month, the Mobile County Health Department’s (MCHD) Maternal & Child Health program participated in an educational parenting class for parents and families at Sybil Smith Family Village.

This ongoing community partnership highlights one of many between MCHD and resources in our community. The 14 families in attendance enjoyed an educational discussion on the benefits of breastfeeding while also participating in an art activity.

Founded in 1999, the Sybil Smith Family Village is Dumas Wesley Community Center’s Transitional Housing Program designed to help “fill a void in housing services for single women and women with children experiencing homelessness.” According to its website, the Sybil Smith Family Village has served more than 2,900 individuals and more than 4,000 children who were identified as homeless by the Mobile County Public School System.

“Our continued community partnerships are very important to the success of our Maternal & Child Health as well as our many other programs at the Mobile County Health Department,” said Tokie Dunn, Director of MCHD’s Community Prevention Programs. “Having the support of Dumas Wesley Community Center and its Sybil Smith Family Village allows us to share resources and information to help improve the lives of these ladies and their children which follows the mission of MCHD and ultimately reflects in our communities.”

National Breastfeeding Awareness Month is celebrated throughout the month of August and encourages breastfeeding as the best form of nutrition for babies’ early development. The Maternal & Child Health program improves maternal and infant health outcomes through promoting the health and well-being of mothers, children, and families through preventive services and education activities including breastfeeding education, safe sleep classes, car seat safety promotion, and referrals for preventive oral health and developmental screenings.

Funded through the Alabama Department of Public Health’s Title V Maternal & Child Health Services Block Grant, the MCHD Maternal & Child Health program has proven beneficial to the families of Mobile County. For more information, call Ms. Dunn at 251-690-7525.