Solano County proclaims August as National Breastfeeding Month; WIC reports higher breastfeeding rates

The Solano County Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution recognizing August 2026 as National Breastfeeding Month and heard staff emphasize the role of WIC and peer-counseling programs in supporting new parents. Jaylene Richards, public health administrator and interim health director (speaker S22), said the county’s WIC breastfeeding-support program moved the three-month postpartum breastfeeding rate from about 50% last year to 56% this year.

Andrea Dimas, health education specialist and regional breastfeeding liaison (speaker S23), outlined the county’s community peer-counselor program and invited the public to a donor-milk drive and celebration on Aug. 6 in Fairfield. Melina Madrigal, a WIC program graduate and local mother, described how peer counseling and WIC supports helped her continue breastfeeding through postpartum challenges. "Sometimes what a new parent needs to hear most simply is from someone that's been there before," Madrigal said.

The resolution was approved 4-0 with no public opposition recorded during the item. Staff encouraged community attendance at county breastfeeding events and emphasized WIC’s role in neonatal nutrition and maternal support.