Press Release

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October 16, 2003

An East Bay county will bring to light the benefits of breastfeeding and will demonstrate why breast milk is better for human babies than formula.

Contra Costa Health Services and Contra Costa Television (CCTV) produced a 30-minute Spanish language talk show that will discuss breastfeeding and why it is recommended. The ¡Vida Sana en Vivo! show, which can be seen on CCTV, is scheduled to air October 30 at 3:30 p.m., October 31 at 5 p.m., November 6 at 3:30 p.m. and November 7 at 5 p.m. Guests on the show will be Inda Ureta, Nutritionist and Lactation Educator and Karen Zavala, Lactation Counselor. Cultural performer for the show will be Veronica Raygoza with her interpretation of "Por un Amor".

"There are many reasons why breast milk is preferable. Women need and want to know what's best for their babies. Human milk is best because it contains all the right ingredients in the amounts needed for proper human digestion, but this is just one reason. The list goes on and on," said Nancy Hill MS RD, Nutrition Consultant for Contra Costa Health Service's Family Maternal & Child Health Programs.

According to Hill, human milk boosts a baby's immune system and can reduce the risk of developing Type I diabetes, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), ear infections, baby bottle tooth decay, and much more. But some mothers are still receiving misinformation.

"Many new mothers are intimidated by breastfeeding. They've heard that it's painful and uncomfortable, but these discomforts are mostly caused by improper positioning of the baby. On the show we will demonstrate the correct way to position babies for breastfeeding," said Hill.

Hill said there are barriers that cause women to choose not to breast-feed or stop breastfeeding early but there are programs that can help break through those barriers.

"One of the barriers breastfeeding women encounter is lack of support, but the WIC program can help. They provide nutrition education and support information for breastfeeding mothers," said Hill.

¡Vida Sana en Vivo! can be seen on Contra Costa Television, the county's public access cable TV station on Thursdays at 3:30 p.m. and Fridays at 5 p.m. (In the Danville/Blackhawk area, channel 10; in Clayton and Concord, channel 15 and 18; in Oakley and Bethel Island, Martinez, Moraga, Orinda, Pacheco, Pleasant Hill and Walnut Creek, channel 19; in Antioch, Bay Point, Pittsburg, San Ramon, Concord, Crockett, El Cerrito, El Sobrante, Hercules, Pinole, Richmond, Rodeo, and San Pablo, channel 27. With Astound Cable, channel 32.)

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