The Tennessee Department of Health recognizes breastfeeding as an important way to help babies get off to a healthy start. The department of health is proud to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week Aug. 1-7 to promote the importance of breastfeeding. The theme for WBW 2016 is Breastfeeding: A Key to Sustainable Development, focusing on ending poverty, protecting the planet and ensuring prosperity.

''Community support for breastfeeding is essential to help more mothers make the important and healthy choice to breastfeed,'' said TDH Commissioner John Dreyzehner, MD, MPH. ''We applaud the many businesses in Tennessee who have already made the commitment to create
an environment that encourages mothers to breastfeed.''

In communities across Tennessee more than 650 businesses have taken the ''Breastfeeding Welcomed Here'' pledge! These businesses have made a commitment to provide an environment where breastfeeding mothers are able to sit anywhere and enjoy a welcoming attitude from the staff, management and other patrons.

Find the list of participating businesses or take the pledge at www.tn.gov/health/article/breastfeeding-welcomedHere.

''We encourage mothers across our state to breastfeed their babies because we know breastfeeding can prevent many health concerns later in life,'' said TDH Assistant Commissioner for Family Health and Wellness Morgan McDonald, MD, FAAP, FACP. ''The benefits of breastfeeding for baby include protecting against upper respiratory infections, ear infections, gastrointestinal diseases and obesity as well as reducing the risk of breast and ovarian cancer in mothers.''

The Tennessee Breastfeeding Hotline, 1-855-4BF-MOMS (1-855-423-6667), is a resource to assist nursing mothers and families. This toll-free number is available 24-hours a day, seven days a week to connect breastfeeding mothers, caregivers, family members and others seeking information on breastfeeding with trained lactation consultants and counselors. Learn more about the benefits of breastfeeding at http://breastfeeding.tn.gov/.

The Tennessee Department of Health also promotes breastfeeding through the WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Program and the local county health departments' Designated Breastfeeding Expert services for their communities. These designated staff members can assist women with breastfeeding needs as well as businesses in creating a breastfeeding space for the business' employees and clients.

Find location and contact information for Tennessee's county health departments at http://tn.gov/health/topic/localdepartments.