To coincide with World Breastfeeding Week, expectant and young families are invited to attend a free Healthy Baby Festival hosted by Catholic Charities of Buffalo Women, Infant and Children (WIC) nutrition program on Wednesday, Aug. 7 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Sheridan Park located on Sheridan Drive in Tonawanda.
Supported by several local community agencies including Buffalo Prenatal Perinatal Network, Calming Nature Doulas, Catholic Health Nurse Family Partnership, Childcare Resource Network, Erie County Health Department, Fidelis Insurance, Help Me Grow/WNY Parent Network, and Molina Insurance, the Healthy Baby Festival is sponsored in part by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York. The event offers free activities for children and important resources for parents on infant and child safety, nutrition, breastfeeding and more. New this year, the Erie County Health Department will be presenting awards to several local businesses that have achieved the “Breastfeeding, Chestfeeding and Lactation Friendly Worksite” designation.
“This marks the 14th year Catholic Charities WIC has hosted the Healthy Baby Festival,” said Katie Constantino, WIC breastfeeding coordinator, Catholic Charities. “While we’ve held the event in various communities across Western New York over the years, the event is always held during World Breastfeeding Week, Aug. 1 – 7, to raise awareness about the benefits of breastfeeding. There will also be plenty of fun for kids and a lot of information for parents about the importance of a healthy start for babies.”
WIC offers nutrition education and counseling, breastfeeding support, prenatal and postpartum support, referrals, and supplemental food vouchers. WIC services are available through application to married or single parents, foster parents, or other legal guardians of a child under five. All services offered are free of charge. Catholic Charities administers WIC in Chautauqua, Erie, and Niagara counties. Last year, the program impacted more than 92,000 individuals across the three counties.
For more information about WIC, go to ccwny.org/wic or call 716-218-1484.
