The US Department of Health and Human Services says that new research shows that babies who are exclusively breast-fed for six months are less likely to develop ear infections, diarrhea and respiratory illnesses and may be less likely to develop childhood obesity.

WIC Director Lupita Fuentes explains, "This is an annual event that happens in the month of August which is considered World Breast feeding Month and is celebrated world wide.  We have moms that are 100% completely breast feeding and we salute them and also the moms that are also supplementing with formula.  We are very happy to see our moms coming in, I know it's kind of difficult to come in as we know that some of them have gone back to work, but we want to encourage them to continue breast feeding their children when they can in order to reap the many benefits it provides their child."

She says they encourage mothers to breast feed for the entire first year of their child's life because they consider it the first immunization the baby gets.  She also says that these babies are healthier, happier babies.

"We have our breast feeding education counselors who provide any and all information to these young mothers who come in to participate in the program when they're still pregnant.  Once they deliver their newborns, we can also go to the hospital and support them so we can teach them how to know if the baby is latching on properly along with all that information that sometimes a new mommy doesn't have the time to worry about during these very nerve-racking times in their lives."

You can come by 1175 Eidson Road or at 2525 Veterans Boulevard if you would like to learn more about the program or if you want to see what it is all about whether you're expecting or even if you're just thinking about planning a family.