WHITE PLAINS, Md. — Calling all new, expecting and experienced parents — a free, family-friendly event is coming to White Plains this weekend to celebrate breastfeeding, parenting and community health. Southern Maryland WIC is hosting its first-ever Breastfeeding Celebration on Saturday, Aug. 9, at the Charles County Department of Health.
Running from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the event is part of National Breastfeeding Month and aims to connect families with local health resources, nutrition benefits and hands-on demonstrations. The celebration will be held outdoors in the health department parking lot at 4545 Crain Highway, rain or shine.
WIC staff will be available to assist eligible families with issuing CVB (cash value benefits) and eFMNP (electronic Farmers Market Nutrition Program) benefits. Attendees can also learn more about the WIC program during a “Table Talk” session, get infant and child CPR training from Safety Is Ki, and connect with partners such as the Maryland Diaper Bank, Trossbach Produce and other local organizations.
In addition to educational booths, the event will include safe sleep demonstrations and access to many other community-based health and family services. Demonstrations may move indoors in the event of inclement weather.
The celebration is free and open to the public.
WIC at Local Farmers Markets
Southern Maryland WIC staff will also be on site at the following farmers markets and farms this August to issue benefits and connect families to healthy food options:
- Tuesday, Aug. 12 | 2:30–5:30 p.m. – Calvert Health Farmers Market
- Wednesday, Aug. 13 | 9 a.m.–2 p.m. – La Plata Farmers Market
- Saturday, Aug. 16 | 9 a.m.–1 p.m. – Home Grown Farmers Market
- Saturday, Aug. 16 | 9 a.m.–2 p.m. – Shlagel Farms
Breastfeeding Resources and Support in Maryland
The Maryland WIC Program is committed to helping families have positive and successful breastfeeding experiences. Breastfeeding provides lifelong health benefits, including protection from illness and a reduced risk of obesity and SIDS in children, as well as lowered risk of certain cancers in breastfeeding parents.
Families can find guidance on topics including:
- Cleaning breast pump kits
- Breastfeeding while attending work or school
- Storage guidelines for human milk
- Legal protections for breastfeeding in public
For detailed handouts, FAQs, videos and legal information, visit the Maryland WIC breastfeeding services webpage:
https://phpa.health.maryland.gov/wic/Pages/breastfeeding.aspx
About Southern Maryland WIC
Southern Maryland WIC serves families in Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties, providing supplemental nutrition, breastfeeding support and health resources to pregnant and postpartum women, infants and children under age 5.
Contact Information
Southern Maryland WIC
4545 Crain Highway, White Plains, MD 20695
Phone: (301) 609-6857
Email: charlescounty.wic@maryland.gov
For more information on the Southern Maryland WIC Program, visit:
health.maryland.gov/phpa/wic/Pages/Home.aspx
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