In October, the Florida Department of Health in Volusia County (DOH-Volusia) will expand its breastfeeding classes for new and expectant mothers. Each month the agency offers no-cost classes that cover the basics of breastfeeding.
The newest class will be held in the morning at the DOH-Volusia Daytona Beach location from 10 to 11 a.m. on the second Tuesday of the month. The first class is October 9.
Evening classes continue to be available at DOH-Volusia locations from 6 to 8 p.m.:
· Tues., Oct. 2, at 775 Harley Strickland Blvd., Orange City.
· Wed., Oct. 10, at 717 W. Canal Street, New Smyrna Beach.
· Thurs., Oct. 18, at 1845 Holsonback Dr., Daytona Beach.
Each class is a one-time session. Reservations are suggested but not required.
Lactation consultants from the department’s Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program offer resources and assistance to breastfeeding mothers. WIC also offers breastfeeding peer counseling programs. Trained peer counselors are chosen from the same socio/economic/ethnic groups as WIC clients and have successfully breastfed their own babies. Breastfeeding peer counselors provide mother-to-mother basic breastfeeding education and support to pregnant and breastfeeding moms.
For information or to register for a breastfeeding class, please call 866-WIC FOOD (942-3663) or log on to volusiahealth.com/wic.
