Breastfeeding

Breast milk is the healthiest food you can give your baby. It provides all the nutrients, calories, and fluid your newborn needs for the first six months of life!

Breastfeeding:

  • Benefits your baby’s immune system and protects against disease and infection
  • May reduce the risk of childhood obesity
  • Helps prevent your baby from developing allergies
  • Lowers a mother’s stress level and helps her body recover from childbirth faster
  • Helps foster an emotional connection between mother and child

While any amount of breastfeeding benefits a baby, it is recommended that mothers exclusively breastfeed for the first six months of life.

Breastfeeding can be challenging, especially in the first few days. Talk with your pediatrician or lactation consultant to discuss any question you have or any problems you may face along the way. You can also call Santa Clara County’s breastfeeding support line at 408. 885.5950 for more information and to be connected to local resources in your area.

Resources

Learn more about the benefits of breastfeeding and find local breastfeeding support services near you.

Vietnamese |  Spanish |  English

Working and Breastfeeding

The County of Santa Clara Lactation Accommodation Policy protects a woman’s choice to provide breast milk to her child by ensuring her right to express milk during work. It also protects her from discrimination from other staff. Both state and federal laws require employers to provide a reasonable amount of break time and a private location to express breast milk. For more information about returning to work and breastfeeding, please follow the link to learn more about mother-friendly breastfeeding worksites.

California Breastfeeding Coalition

The California Breastfeeding Coalition (CBC) is a grassroots coalition of community breastfeeding coalitions, as well as public and private partnerships that have broad reach within California’s communities. Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of Californians by working collaboratively to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding. Their website also offers families information about breastfeeding rights at hospitals, work, in public, and more.

Breastfeeding Task Force of Santa Clara Valley

The Breastfeeding Task Force of Santa Clara Valley is a collaborative of local organizations, agencies, and individuals working together to promote maternal and infant health through breastfeeding. The Task Force meets bi-monthly, please visit Breast Feeding Task Force of Santa Clara Valley for more information and meeting dates.

Watch Our Breastfeeding Podcast

Upcoming Events

August is National Breastfeeding Awareness Month! Below you will find a list of county-wide events held throughout the month.

Friday, August 2, 2019 / 8 am – 12 pm
Valley Health Center – Gilroy
7475 Camino Arroyo
Gilroy, CA 95020
Learn about the benefits of breastfeeding and find connections to local breastfeeding resources. Hosted by Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, Santa Clara County Public Health, and many others.

Tuesday, August 6, 2019 / 9 am – 5 pm
Valley Health Center – Milpitas
143 N. Main Street
Milpitas, CA 95035
Learn about the benefits of breastfeeding and find connections to local breastfeeding resources. Hosted by Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, Santa Clara County Public Health, and many others.

Wednesday, August 7, 2019 / 10 am – 2 pm
Valley Health Center – Bascom
The Farmer’s Market
751 S. Bascom Avenue
San Jose, CA 95128
Learn about the benefits of breastfeeding and find connections to local breastfeeding resources. Hosted by Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, Santa Clara County Public Health, and many others.

Thursday, August 8, 2019 / 9 am – 12 pm
Valley Health Center – East Valley
1993 McKee Road
San Jose, CA 95116
Learn about the benefits of breastfeeding and find connections to local breastfeeding resources. Hosted by Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, Santa Clara County Public Health, and many others.

Thursday, August 8, 2019 / 10 am – 1:30 pm
Valley Health Center – Tully
500 Tully Road
San Jose, CA 95111
Learn about the benefits of breastfeeding and find connections to local breastfeeding resources. Hosted by Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, Santa Clara County Public Health, and many others

Thursday, August 20, 2019 / 9 am – 12 pm, 1 pm – 4 pm
Valley Health Center – Downtown San Jose
777 E. Santa Clara Street
San Jose, CA 95113
Learn about the benefits of breastfeeding and find connections to local breastfeeding resources. Hosted by Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, Santa Clara County Public Health, and many others

Wednesday, August 21, 2019
Annual Breastfeeding Celebration
Sobrato Center for Non-Profits, Cupertino Room
1400 Parkmoor Avenue
San Jose, CA 95126
This annual events celebrates individuals and organizations who support breastfeeding mothers and infants.

Friday, August 23, 2019
CompreCare Health Center: Milk Drive
CompreCare Clinic
3030 Alum Rock Avenue
San Jose, CA 95127
This event is hosted by Mother’s Milk Bank.

Thursday, August 29, 2019
Community Screening: Chocolate Milk 
Bascom Branch Library
1000 S. Bascom Ave
San Jose, California 95128
This event is brought to you in part by Roots Community Health Center and Black Infant Health of Santa Clara County.

Thursday, August 29, 2019 / 9 am – 3 pm
Valley Health Center – Sunnyvale
660 S. Fair Oaks Ave
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Learn about the benefits of breastfeeding and find connections to local breastfeeding resources. Hosted by Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, Santa Clara County Public Health, and many others.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]