MCHD observing Breastfeeding Awareness Month 08-03-26

August 3, 2026

MCHD observing Breast Feeding Awareness Month

MOBILE, Ala. — National Breastfeeding Month is observed each August. This year’s theme is “RISE: Resilience, Interdependence, Self- Determination, Empowerment.”

The Mobile County Health Department (MCHD) and its Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) supplemental nutrition program are major proponents of breastfeeding.

“Mobile County’s WIC Program is committed to both empowering mothers to provide the best breastmilk for their babies and providing breastfeeding support for families through our breastfeeding peer counseling program, nutrition education and supplemental foods,” said Virginia Stabler, who oversees the WIC program.

To enhance the breastfeeding program, MCHD has brought back in-person sessions called “The Lactation Circle.” The program is operated by LaDina Hudson, breastfeeding coordinator, and three peer counselors, Andrea Portis, Terilyn Hodges, and Nafeesah As-Salafeeyah. They encourage breastfeeding, help with troubleshooting when concerning supply issues, and talk through barriers of breastfeeding.

In fact, Hudson and the peer counselors will be hosting several events throughout the month of August to celebrate our breastfeeding mothers. “Paint and Pump” will be a collaboration with MCHD vendors and WIC nutritionists for all WIC mothers to paint while providing breastfeeding education. This event will also provide additional information about nutrition to our participants.

The events are set for the following dates:

• August 4 – World Breastfeeding Week Vendor Shop, USA Health Children’s & and Women’s Hospital (for staff only; 1st floor Panda Cares Room), 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.;
• August 8 – Breastfeeding Expo “Paint and Pump” Keeler Auditorium (251 North Bayou Street in Mobile), 2nd floor, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

An Educational Breastfeeding Booth will be set up at these locations from 9 a.m. until noon:

• Tuesday, August 11 – Citronelle Clinic (19250 Mobile Street North in Citronelle) Main lobby;
• Wednesday, August 12 – Semmes Clinic (3810 Wulff Rd in Semmes) Main lobby;
• Wednesday, August 19 – Southwest Clinic (5580 Inn Road in Mobile) Main lobby.
• Wednesday, August 26 – Eight Mile Clinic (4009 St Stephens Road in Eight Mile) Main lobby.

For more information on National Breastfeeding Month, visit https://www.usbreastfeeding.org/national-breastfeeding-month.html/ and https://wicworks.fns.usda.gov/resources/national-wic-breastfeeding-week.