MCHD WIC celebrates Breastfeeding Month with two events

Jul. 31, 2025

By Mary Wade Burnside

Breastfeeding numbers are on the rise. Laws, information and the availability of instruction have helped moms with nursing who otherwise might have stopped quickly or who may never have tried at all.
So it’s a great time for Monongalia County Health Department’s Women, Infants and Children’s (WIC) program to bring back the Breastfeeding Awareness Walk, which will be held from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 7, at the Morgantown Farmers Market Pavilion on Spruce Street.
This revived event has a new location and vibe. There will be light refreshments as well as food trucks that will allow attendees to buy their own snacks or meals. And Monongalia County Health Department’s new, state-of-the-art Smile Express mobile dentistry unit will be available for tours and maybe some quick assessments of young children’s teeth.
The walk will start off the activities at 6 p.m., with participants strolling around town with signs to raise awareness and spread the word about breastfeeding’s benefits to both baby and mom. Participants can feel free to make their own signs although a few will be provided.
“In the past, the walk was focused on the rebellion of breastfeeding,” said Anna Ash, an MCHD WIC certified breastfeeding specialist. “The walk was started because of a mother who was having pushback around breastfeeding in public.
“The transition is now more based around an educational need. There are so many women who don’t know the benefits of breastfeeding and don’t know they have support in the community.”
MCHD WIC operates in six counties: Monongalia, Preston, Marion, Harrison, Doddridge and Taylor.
Additionally, the Harrison County office will hold its 15th Annual Baby Buggy Stroll at Meadowbrook Mall in Bridgeport from 10 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, Aug. 6.
Pregnant and breastfeeding moms can begin registering at 10 a.m. in the center court of the mall in front of JCPenney. There will be goody bags for the first 30 registrants and participants are encouraged to decorate strollers with positive breastfeeding images and/or slogans for the walk around the mall.
“We can answer questions about breastfeeding,” said Angie Rebrook, MCHD WIC’s breastfeeding liaison and an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC).
Rebrook notes that breastfeeding has become trendy, in addition to the growing support that exists for breastfeeding moms.
“It has just taken off and moms feel more supported and more educated,” Rebrook added. “There is more information out there that makes moms more accepting of the idea.”
MCHD WIC is instrumental in helping new moms with their breastfeeding techniques and can help with latching, an issue that WIC breastfeeding specialists often see.
Also, Ash said, “One of my goals is to break down this stigma that formula is a status symbol. In Appalachia, formula has been a status symbol in the past, because it shows you’re doing well in life.
“The focus should be on healthier children, which is the true sign of wealth.”
Breastfeeding is a completely natural part of the human experience that provides both mother and baby with many benefits, including the obvious one: nutrition for the infant.
“It helps the baby’s immune system and gives them a healthier gut,” says Lynne Ryan, IBCLC, of MCHD WIC.
For the mom, breastfeeding helps normalize her weight and the state of lactating releases hormones that are relaxing, which help her body readjust after going through a pregnancy, Ryan added.
And it’s also cost-effective.
Pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding mothers as well as children up to their fifth birthdays who financially qualify can take advantage of all of MCHD WIC’s breastfeeding offerings. This includes in-person appointments, in addition to access to the Pacify app, which provides 24/7 help with questions. Our hospital liaison program has been revived at WVU Medicine Children’s and expanded to United Hospital Center in Bridgeport. Liaisons meet with new moms to sign them up for WIC if they are eligible, and they also can help with the initial latch and answer questions too.
But any member of the public can attend free breastfeeding classes in the six counties MCHD WIC covers. Our website, has more information plus times and dates.
And you can also attend the Breastfeeding Awareness Walk on Aug. 7, and we’ll be happy to answer your questions!
Mary Wade Burnside is the public information officer at Monongalia County Health Department.