Health Department

Joel Strasz - Public Health Officer
Andre Reed - Deputy Health Officer
Emily Nelson - Public Health Nursing Services Manager
Melissa Opheim - Public Health Services Manager/EPC
Amy Revette - WIC Manager
Mark Pickell - Business Services Manager
Joel Kwiatkowski - Environmental Health Manager
Dr. Thomas Bender - Medical Director
Dr. William Morrone - Medical Examiner
Bay County Health Department
1200 Washington Avenue
Bay City, Michigan 48708
Voice: (989) 895-4009
Fax: (989) 895-4014

Breastfeeding News

Benefits of Breastfeeding

 

Big Bird Learns About Breastfeeding

It supplies all the necessary nutrients in the proper porportions 

It protects against allergies, sickness and obesity

It protects against diseases, like diabetes and cancer

It protects against infections, like ear infections

It is easily digested - no constipation, diarrhea or upset stomach

Babies have healthier weights as they grow

Breastfed babies score higher on IQ tests

 

In a 1977 segment of Sesame Street, Big Bird learns about breastfeeding.  Click on the image below to view the video.

 

Breastfeeding and Medication

 

Laws on Breastfeeding

Need to know more about drugs/supplements and breastfeeding? You can find information about maternal and infant drug levels, possible side effects on lactation and on breastfed infants, and alternative drugs to consider.  The LactMed database at the U.S. National Library of Medicine is now available through an app for an iPod, iPhone, or Android device.  For more information on this free download, visit LactMed  

 
 

 

On March 23, 2010, President Obama signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). Part of the PPACA was the amendment to require employers to provide reasonable break time and private spaces for nursing mothers to express breast milk during the work day for up to one year after a child's birth.  Under this new law, employers must provide employees with enough time to express breast milk each time they need to do so, whether or not the timing is convenient from the employer's perspective.  There are no specific limitations on the number, frequency, or duration of the breaks.  Nevertheless, employers are not required to compensate employees for time spent expressing breast milk.  Employers must also provide a private place, other than a bathroom, that is shielded from view and free of intrusion of coworkers and customers for women to express breast milk.  If the space is not exclusively dedicated to the nursing mother's use, it must be available when needed in order to meet requirements.

For more information visit the National Conference of State Legislatures at www.ncsl.org.

 

BAY AREA BREASTFEEDING COALITION

The Bay Area Breastfeeding Coalition is a group of professional and public advocates who meet quarterly to discuss ways to provide breastfeeding promotion and education in our community.  We welcome your participation and would love for anyone interested in sharing and discussing breastfeeding to join our group.  Anyone interested in learning more about the Bay Area Breastfeeding Coalition can contact the Bay County WIC Clinic at (989) 895-4002 or (989) 894-3935.

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS FOR BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT

Breastfeeding Peer Counselor
New mothers with breastfeeding concerns, who are eligible for the WIC Program, can receive breastfeeding information, encouragement, and support.  The Breastfeeding Initiative is a mother-to-mother program that utilizes peer counselors who can work by phone or in the home, hospital, or at Bay County Health Department's WIC office. The Breastfeeding Peer Counselor is trained in breastfeeding techniques and support.  Call 989.895.4002 for more information.

Bay Regional Medical Center Lactation Support
Support and assistance is available to new breastfeeding mothers and to expectant women who plan to breastfeed their baby when born.  Bay Regional Medical Center Lactation Support can answer breastfeeding questions and concerns, and provide evaluations and assistance as needed.

Services: Breastfeeding mothers and expectant mothers planning to breastfeed.
Agency: Bay Regional Medical Center
Phone: (989) 894-8617