WOR-AM, New York - Text Transcript

WOR: Hi is the Surgeon General there?

SG: He is. Good morning. This is Rich Carmona.

WOR: Hi, how are you?

SG: Fine thank you, how are you doing?

WOR: Good. I was just going to ask you a couple of questions and it's for tape so that we'll cut it up and we'll use it in newscasts later today.

SG: Whatever you like. That's fine, I'm happy to be with you. You know New York's my old stomping ground.

WOR: You grew up here?

SG: I grew up here. Right here in New York City, born and raised in Harlem and Washington Heights.

WOR: Oh, that's awesome. Well, you don't want to be here today because it's like a thousand degrees.

SG: I'm in DC, and it's a thousand and one.

WOR: Ok then, you know what I'm talking about. Um, could I just start by asking you why this month are you talking about how to be healthy when you're pregnant? I believe August is a special month or something?

SG: Yeah, for breastfeeding, or breastfeeding awareness and what we're trying to do is to increase the knowledge base of all moms and dads and families to understand how important it is for babies to be breastfed.

WOR: Ok, what kind of tips are you offering expecting mothers?

SG: Well the first thing is we want moms to understand that there's a lot of reasons to breastfeed. The bonding issue with their new baby, and also the fact that most studies that have been done in this area demonstrate that there's a decrease in infections. Baby has less diarrhea, less ear infections, less respiratory infections. And very important today is also that babies will grow up having less tendency toward obesity. So we recommend that moms exclusively breastfeed for the first six months, at least because of the reduction in many of these risks and growing a healthier baby.

WOR: But the mother has to be careful about what they're doing to their body when they're breastfeeding I'm sure, right?

SG: No question. And I'm sure that's a very good point. Because moms who drink, moms who smoke, moms who may not be eating healthy... Remember when you eat, you're eating for two and the breast milk is going to carry much of what you take in, or traces of what you take in. So you have to assume that that's all being transferred to your baby.

WOR: And if someone wants more information than what you're just giving me then we're going to have time to put into a 40 second wrap, where can they go for more information on healthy eating and what to do when they're expecting and breastfeeding and all that?

SG: Well, there are a couple of Web sites that they can go to. And certainly many people knowing how to use the Web can Google about anything they want. But La Leche League at www.lalecheleague.org has information and hhs.gov, cdc.gov, which is part of HHS or Health and Human Services. So there are a number of organizations. But most importantly, talk to your primary care physicians, talk to your obstetrician gynecologist, talk to your pediatrician, because they have this information for you.

WOR: Now obviously August is National Breastfeeding Awareness Month so that's why you're doing this and that's why you're talking about breastfeeding. Say you can't or you don't want to. What else can you do to healthfully feed your baby if you don't want to breastfeed?

SG: Well, probably the most important thing if for some reason you can't or won't is speak to your pediatrician about what the best alternatives are in the situation that you have. But there are very few situations that prevent a mom from breastfeeding. But if that arises for whatever the reason, you're best bet is to talk to your doctor and make sure you get the best options.

WOR: Ok, and also I see in this press release that 2005 is the year of the healthy child. So, in addition to the healthy breastfeeding there are also other tips that you're offering parents about when they sleep and when they're in the back of the car?

SG: Absolutely, and if you check on our Web site, that's surgeongeneral.gov or go to hhs.gov and you'll see links to my Web site. Because it's the year of the healthy child, we've targeted all of the areas that lend itself to improving the health and wellness and safety of our children as they grow. You'll find tips and tip sheets that have been distributed previously.

WOR: Ok, thank you so much for you time. I appreciate you, bye.

SG: Hey thanks very much I appreciate it.

Content last updated August 15, 2005.