Solano County proclaims August 2024 as National Breastfeeding Month, highlights WIC supports

The Solano County Board of Supervisors on July 23 unanimously adopted a resolution recognizing August 2024 as National Breastfeeding Month and heard from county public‑health officials about local supports for lactating parents.

"Breastfeeding is important for the nutritional aspects and the skin‑to‑skin contact creates an incredible bond between the mom and baby," said Jalene Richards, public health administrator for Solano County Health and Social Services, who thanked the board for designating lactation spaces in county buildings and for backing community outreach.

Christina Hatcher, a health education specialist and regional breastfeeding liaison with the county WIC program, described local services including peer‑counseling, access to lactation consultants at no additional cost to clients and community events such as the county’s donor breast‑milk drive on Aug. 8. Chris Hughes, seniors health services manager, summarized why public‑health officials consider breast milk critical for child development and immune support.

A WIC program participant, Stephanie Rocaforte, told the board her peer counselor provided home visits and hands‑on help with latch and positioning when breastfeeding became difficult, and that peer support helped her continue breastfeeding despite early challenges. "Having the support of a WIC breastfeeding peer counselor is invaluable," she said.

The resolution that the board adopted directs county recognition and encourages public awareness activities for the month; the board recorded a 5–0 vote to adopt the measure.

Board members and staff noted the county’s partnership with the San Jose Mothers' Milk Bank and other nonprofits that have helped expand donor‑milk collection and breastfeeding education in Solano County. Officials said future work will focus on continuing outreach at farmers markets and schools and on making peer counseling and lactation resources easier to find.