National WIC Breastfeeding Week is an annual observance held from August 1-7, 2025, proclaimed by the USDA to raise awareness for the benefits of breastfeeding and to support breastfeeding mothers and families. The work being done by WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) programs to empower mothers to breastfeed – addressing societal barriers, enhancing peer counselor programs, and building community partnerships is vital. There is no better food than breast milk for a baby’s first year of life. Increasing Breastfeeding rates can help reduce the prevalence of various illnesses and health conditions, which in turn results in lower health care costs.
WIC is a supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and children, including pregnant women, breastfeeding women, non-breastfeeding postpartum women, infants and toddlers and children up to age 5. WIC also supports breastfeeding mothers in other ways, including an enhanced food package to meet their nutritional needs and breastfeeding and nutritional education.
Friends, employers, and communities all play a role in supporting breastfeeding mothers, as we can all step up our support. The Health Department is building a community resource to assist breastfeeding families. The goal is to create an easy-to-use Google Map showing all the supportive Breastfeeding locations in Knox County. We are looking for:
- locations where families can comfortably breastfeed or pump.
- Business with a designated “mothers’ room” or quiet space
- Air-conditioned stops for families needing a quick respite.
If you are a business owner willing to open your doors as a safe, supportive spot – even for those who are not customers please use the following form to add locations and businesses to our map.
For more information on WIC and breastfeeding please visit our website at www.knoxcountyhealth.org or call us at 309-344-2224.
***Courtesy of the Knox County Health Department***
