NEWS

August is Breastfeeding Awareness Month, an opportunity to recognize the important role businesses and community organizations can play in creating a community where parents and families feel supported.

For the Savannah Area Chamber, this conversation is also about workforce. When employers create family-friendly workplaces and our community provides welcoming spaces and accessible resources for parents, we help employees remain connected to the workforce while strengthening the overall health and well-being of families.

Our partners at Healthy Savannah have continued to expand breastfeeding education and support throughout Chatham County. With a $2,480 mini-grant from La Leche League, Healthy Savannah purchased 75 copies of The Art of Breastfeeding, including 45 copies donated to the Live Oak Public Libraries system. The resource is now available to library patrons in print, e-book and audiobook formats.

Healthy Savannah also released a new breastfeeding awareness PSA this year highlighting 13 local businesses, organizations and locations that are helping create a breastfeeding-friendly community. The effort expanded to include the Otis S. Johnson Cultural Arts Center and Savannah Children’s Museum, and “Breastfeeding Welcome Here” decals are now displayed at the Enmarket Arena and Children’s Museum.

And our community is telling us this work matters. In a recent survey, 54% of respondents rated supportive breastfeeding policies and programs as extremely important, while 52% rated breastfeeding-friendly public places as extremely important.

During Breastfeeding Awareness Month, we encourage Chamber members to consider how their own workplaces can support breastfeeding employees and customers. Simple steps—providing appropriate space and time for nursing employees, educating managers, and making it clear that breastfeeding families are welcome—can make a meaningful difference.

A strong workforce depends on strong families. We are grateful for partners like Healthy Savannah that are helping make the Savannah region a healthier, more welcoming place to live, work and raise a family. If you have any questions contact ********@*************er.com“>Jen Davenport.