During the week of August 1 – 7, Cooley Dickinson Hospital joins the World Health Organization in recognizing breastfeeding as the gold standard of infant feeding.

Stop by the hospital’s Main Entrance on Wednesday, August 4 from 2 to 4 p.m. for information about services available to new families including WIC, MotherWoman and Mothers’ Milk Bank of New England.

Other activities include a raffle with prizes such as breastfeeding items and gift cards to local restaurants and businesses; proceeds benefit the CDH lactation program. A baby photo contest will also be held. To participate in the contest, email baby photos to Paula_Mattson@cooley-dickinson.org or drop off photos to Paula's attention by Sunday, August 1. Light refreshments will be served. For more information about the event call 582-2096.

The Childbirth Center at CDH offers daily lactation assistance by phone and with insurance billed consults. Medela breastfeeding products to rent or purchase, a support group for new breastfeeding families is held every Monday from 12-1:30 p.m. and is hosted by a board certified lactation consultant.

World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated every year in more than 120 countries to encourage breastfeeding and improve the health of babies around the world. It commemorates the Innocenti Declaration made by the World Health Organization and UNICEF policy-makers in August 1990 to protect, promote and support breastfeeding.

According to the WHO, breastfeeding is the best way to provide newborns with the nutrients they need. WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding until a baby is six months old, and continued breastfeeding with the addition of nutritious complementary foods for up to two years or beyond.

For a complete list of childbirth support groups visit www.cooley-dickinson.org.