Warren Mayor Doug Franklin signs a proclamation encouraging moth - 21 News Now, More Local News for Youngstown, Ohio -

WARREN, Ohio - Warren Mayor Doug Franklin reads from a proclamation he signed designating this week in the city of Warren World Breastfeeding Week.

"I personally think it is a responsible thing to do as a public official to talk about being healthy, to keep our health care costs down. So, it just makes sense from a public health stand point to be involved, to be an advocate of breastfeeding," Franklin said.

Like many city leaders around the country, Mayor Franklin believes breastfeeding should remain on the public health agenda and he is dedicated to doing what he can to help keep it there.

"It is economical. It is the best for the baby. So, we need to start talking about being a healthy community. I think it starts with mothers and breastfeeding," Franklin said.

For mom Krista Gut, the decision to breastfeed was an easy one. She's done it with all three of her boys.

"The bonding, just the way he looks at me when I am feeding him is just wonderful. It is amazing and I love it. There are also a lot of health benefits for the mother like reduced risk for breast cancer and stuff like that," Gut said.

Breastfeeding Peer Mentor Cheryl Gayles, says in addition to reducing the risk for cancers, mothers who breastfeed also reduce their risk for other illnesses and are often able to return to their pre-pregnancy weight more quickly. For babies, she says the benefits are astronomical.

"We need to make breastfeeding a priority. There is nothing like setting a good foundation for your child and to follow them through into school years, into adult age. We have to let people know it is important to breastfeed. It is important to offer that breast milk to the baby," Gayles said.