PRESS RELEASES
If you have media inquiries, please contact the Office of Health Communications at adh.communications@arkansas.gov.
« Go Back
Posted: 11/09/17
HAA, AR First Lady Partner with Junior League’s 2017 Holiday House to Support Breastfeeding Moms
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Healthy Active Arkansas (HAA) and the Junior League of Little Rock (JLLR) have partnered to offer a breastfeeding nook for breastfeeding moms as part of the 2017 Holiday House. The nook will be a comfortable, private space for mothers who need to breastfeed their children or pump while visiting the event. This is the first time a designated breastfeeding space has been offered as part of Holiday House.
Certified lactation counselors from Baptist Health, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and the Arkansas Department of Health will be at the breastfeeding nook and available to answer questions about breastfeeding.
“Holiday House is one of the state’s biggest shopping events of the season, and it attracts thousands of women, many of whom are new moms who are breastfeeding,” Arkansas First Lady and breastfeeding advocate, Susan Hutchinson said. “We are excited that the Junior League has made the Nursing Nook a feature of the event and hope this serves as an inspiration to other event coordinators across the state to offer similar amenities during community events.”
JLLR President, Sabrina Lewellen agrees, “We are beyond thrilled to partner with Healthy Active Arkansas to provide this comfortable space for breastfeeding and lactating mothers. Nutrition and wellness are two of our primary focus areas and of several Junior Leagues across the world, so making this space available is a natural fit. The breastfeeding nook is an important and welcomed addition to Holiday House 2017. I hope it will be part of Holiday House events in the years to come.”
Breastfeeding has been linked to fewer incidences of ear and upper respiratory infections in infants, sudden infant death syndrome and obesity over the lifespan. In addition, breastfeeding benefits mothers by reducing their risk of breast, uterine and ovarian cancer and aids in losing weight gained during pregnancy. Mothers who receive support to breastfeed, through their family, employer, or community are more likely to continue exclusively breastfeeding for the recommended six months’ timeframe.
Individuals or organizations interested in learning how they can support breastfeeding can learn more by visiting the Arkansas Breastfeeding Coalition at www.arbfc.org. The Expressly for You breastfeeding helpline (501) 202-7378 is also available 24 hours, 7 days a week to mothers who have questions or need advice.
The JLLR’s Holiday House is an annual shopping event that helps support JLLR community projects including Stuff the Bus, Nightingales, LYFE, Kota Camp, Nonprofit Board Institute, Little Readers Rock and Boosters & Big Rigs. Arkansas Children’s Hospital is a presenting sponsor for this year’s Holiday House, and is a founding partner of Healthy Active Arkansas. For more information on the 2017 Holiday House, please visit URL https://www.jllr.org/holiday-house/
Healthy Active Arkansas is a 10-year framework to increase the number of Arkansans at a healthy weight. There are nine priority areas, including Breastfeeding, that include evidence-based strategies that impact the health of the state.
###