HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 06101997 - C32 Tom BOARD OF SUPERVISORS (�•v Contra
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FROM: VVsta
SUPERVISOR . DONNA. GERBER
County
DATE: JUNE 10 , 1997
SUBJECT: SUPPORT FOR AB157 (Villaraigosa)
PERSONAL 'RIGHTS : BREASTFEEDING
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATIONS)i BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County support Assembly Bill 157(Villaraigosa), a
bill which would authorize a mother to breastfeed her child in any location where she and her child
are otherwise authorized to be present.
BACKGROUND;
This is an important bill to support since mothers should be encouraged to breastfeed their
children for the following reasons: ,
(a)The Surgeon General of the United States, American Academy of Pediatrics, and American
Dietetic Association, the American Public Health Association, and the National Healthy
Mothers/Healthy Babies Coalition, all recommend that babies from birth to at least one year of age
be breastfed unless medically contaminated, in order to attain an optimal, healthy start in life.
(b) Breastfeeding provides numerous health benefits to both the mother and child. For the
mother, breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast and ovarian cancer. In addition, women who
breastfeed are less likely to develop osteoporosis and multiple sclerosis. For the child, human
milk provides a boost to the immune system and reduces the incidence of bacterial infections
such as meningitis, lower respiratory infections and bacteria in infants. Breastfeeding may also
reduce the risk for certain childhood cancers such lymphoma in addition to sudden infant death
syndrome(SIDS).
(c) Breastfeeding is economical and cost-effective. If an infant is breastfed, the family saves
approximately $855 for the cost of formula feeding in the first year. Mothers of breastfed infants
require less time off from work to care for sick children and make fewer visits to the pediatrician.
Approximately two to four billion dollars could be saved on an annual basis in the United States if
all women breastfed their infants for as little as 12 weeks.
(d) In the interest of maternal and child health, the Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County
should encourage public acceptance of this natural, nurturing act. No mother should be
intimidated or humiliated for feeding her child in this healthy manner.
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIONATURE: aj
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF SOARD COMMMME 0
A "OVE OTHER
NA E
SON OF SD&RD D,N June 10' 1997 APMtOVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER
VOTE OF SU►ERVISORS
1 HERESY CERTIFY THAT THIS 4 A TRUE
X UNANIMOUS(ASSENT AND CORRECT COPY OF AN AMON TAKEN
AYES: NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD
ASSENT: A✓1STAIN: Of SU►ERVtSORS ON THE DATE SHOWN.
Ca: CAO - C. Van Marter ATTtsTED June 10, 1997
Health Services PHIL BATCHELOR,CLERK OF THE BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
By >X ,DEPUTY
M382 (10/88)
to S eak Form ,���e�P �Request
( THREE (3) MINUTE LIMIT)
Complete this form and place it in the box near the speakers' rostrum
before addressing the Board. 1
Name.- Fe&Y,� C G7 SFr Phone: 3l3 ( Q �,/
1 am speaking for nvyWf or • �uh�ll��¢C A����j
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CH ONE: C'
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1 wish to on Axenda Item #—E. Oat �U
My comments Will be• —= ^ -
1 wish to speak on the -
1 do not wish to speak but leave these comments for the Board
to consider