August is marked as Missouri Breastfeeding Month, and the Ozark County Health Department is reminding the employers that supporting their employees who are breastfeeding their babies can have a positive impact on their businesses.

Bonnie Peter, R. N. at the Ozark County Health Department said in a statement that they want to remind area businesses that by supporting employees who are breastfeeding their baby is a wise investment.

As research has shown that breastfeeding for the first six months to a year of a baby's life results in health benefits that only breast milk can provide, Peter said.

The health department takes several initiatives to provide breastfeeding education and also encourages mothers to breastfeed their babies for as long as they can.

In an effort to support breastfeeders, the health department staff has moved the office's breastfeeding room to a larger area. The larger space allows the staff to provide a comfortable recliner and other features that promote relaxation and privacy.

This larger area also has breast pump, changing table, baby scales, new educational tools a peer counselor uses in assisting new moms and an educational toy for siblings to play with, said Peter.

"Since breastfeeding positively affects not only infants but the family and society in general, the WIC staff wants to enhance and improve the breastfeeding experience in hopes that moms will continue to exclusively breastfeed during the baby's first year", said Peter.

Every year the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action marks August 1-7 as World Breastfeeding Week. During this time the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services along with the Missouri Breastfeeding Coalition highlights on the benefits of breastfeeding.