08/01/2025
Happy Breastfeeding Month!
National Breastfeeding Month Proclamation
On August 6, 2011, USBC officially declared that August is National Breastfeeding Month, at a Community Baby Shower event hosted by Howard University Hospital and the DC Breastfeeding Coalition.
National Breastfeeding Month Proclamation
Whereas, the mission of the United States Breastfeeding Committee (USBC) is to improve the Nation’s health by working collaboratively to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding; and
Whereas, USBC envisions breastfeeding as the norm for infant and young child feeding throughout the United States; and
Whereas, breast milk is the preferred and most appropriate source of nutrition for infants, adapting over time to meet the changing needs of the growing infant; and
Whereas breastfeeding is a proven primary prevention strategy, protecting both infants and mothers from a host of chronic and acute diseases and conditions and building a foundation for life-long health and wellness; and
Whereas the act of breastfeeding builds a strong emotional connection between the mother and infant, a bond which lasts a lifetime; and
Whereas, breastfeeding provides a safe, reliable, and renewable food source, especially critical during natural disaster and emergency situations; and
Whereas, employers that provide workplace lactation support experience an impressive return on investment, including lower health care costs, absenteeism, and turnover rates, and improved morale, job satisfaction, and productivity; and
Whereas, all major medical authorities recommend that mothers breastfeed exclusively for six months and continue breastfeeding for at least the first year of a child’s life, yet breastfeeding rates continue to fall short of the Nation’s Healthy People objectives; and
Whereas, U.S. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin has issued The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding, calling on health care providers, employers, insurers, policymakers, researchers, and the community at large to support mothers in reaching their personal breastfeeding goals; and
Therefore, on this 6th day of August, 2011, the United States Breastfeeding Committee does hereby proclaim August as National Breastfeeding Month, in furtherance of USBC’s role to advance breastfeeding on our Nation’s agenda through collaboration, leadership, and advocacy, so that all U.S. families will have the opportunity to breastfeed.
Robin W. Stanton, MA, RD, LD
Chair, United States Breastfeeding Committee
https://www.usbreastfeeding.org/nbm-proclamation.html
