Dear editor:

In case you have missed it, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Lesser known, but equally important, October is also Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness month.

Surprisingly, these two things have one preventive measure in common. Breastfeeding your infant lowers your risk of breast cancer. The effect is dose dependent — meaning that the more and longer you breastfeed, the lower your risk of cancer. (Side note: breastfeeding lowers your risk for most cancers associated with the female reproductive system.) Breastfeeding is also one of the three most significant factors that lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death. (The other two are putting your baby on their back to sleep and prohibiting smoking in the home.)

I am grateful to be able to say that Wyoming breastfeeding rates are higher than most other states, but I am especially happy to say that Powell Valley Healthcare outranks every other hospital in the state when it comes to breastfeeding education and support. The CDC issues an mPINC score (Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care). In 2022 PVHC scored a 93 — the highest in Wyoming. PVHC is the only Baby-Friendly hospital in the state. “Baby-Friendly” is not a sweet-sounding marketing phrase. It is a hard-earned designation that our hospital has carried since 2010. 

I want to say thank you to the healthcare providers, nurses, and other staff who do so much to make a difference in the lives of new families. Their knowledge and support of breastfeeding saves lives.

Bonita Katz

President,

Powell Hospital District