MCHD’s Breastfeeding Expo/Baby Shower declared major success 08.13.25

August 13, 2025

MCHD’s Breastfeeding Expo/Baby Shower declared major success

MOBILE, Ala. — The Mobile County Health Department’s Women, Infants & Children (WIC) supplemental nutrition program hosted a Breastfeeding Expo last weekend at the Keeler Memorial Building (251 North Bayou Street in Mobile).

The event featured MCHD vendors, WIC breastfeeding peer counselors, and WIC nutritionists. There were 49 individuals who attended.

“On Saturday, August 9, we had our Breastfeeding Expo in honor of Breastfeeding Awareness Month,” said LaDina Hudson, the Breastfeeding Coordinator for MCHD. “Not only was it a Breastfeeding Expo, but it was also WIC’s very first Breastfeeding Baby Shower.

“At the Expo/Baby shower, our WIC peer counselors were present to meet new breastfeeding moms and provide breastfeeding education through pamphlets and face-to- face contact. Also, moms were given prizes and incentives by participating in Breastfeeding Wheel of Fortune.”

Ginger Stabler, the WIC Nutrition Director, applauded the event. “As of the end of July, we have 545 moms actively breastfeeding to some extent,” she said. “This is roughly 20 percent of the almost 2,700 postpartum women we have on WIC in Mobile County.

“I agree that our participation on Saturday was excellent. The event was a fun way to support our new and current moms in their efforts to provide the best for their babies. It was well planned by LaDina.”

“Many more moms, who may not be eligible for WIC services, breastfeed as well,” according to Dr. Kevin Michaels, Health Officer for Mobile County. “All of these moms should be supported and encouraged to provide the essential nutrition to our next generations.”

CredibleMind provides a podcast program to support “moms” during this great time. It can be found at https://alabama.crediblemind.com/podcasts/the-boob-group. “We have many more programs planned across the county to support WIC participants in the coming weeks,” Dr. Michaels said.

James Currie with MCHD’s Office of Communications spoke with Ms. Hudson and WIC breastfeeding peer counselors Andrea Portis, Terilyn Hodges and Alexis Williams during a recent episode of Wellness Wednesday. It can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dgkgk3VEm7s&t=115s.

MCHD’s Office of Nutrition Services manages the local WIC program. A monthly average of 10,690 participants received WIC food instruments during the Fiscal Year 2024. To qualify for WIC, a person must meet income guidelines, be a resident of Alabama, and have been seen by a health professional at the WIC clinic. For more information, visit https://mchd.org/wic or call 251-690-8829.

Additional information on WIC is available from the MCHD smartphone application. Search “My MCHD Health Check” or visit the following link to download the app — https://apps.myocv.com/share/a65536603.