Starting in 1995, a small group of breastfeeding advocates met to discuss the need for coordination of breastfeeding activities in the United States. After conducting an intensive needs assessment, the National Alliance for Breastfeeding Advocacy (NABA) was formed to address needs not being met by organizations, government agencies, or individuals. NABA and the Healthy Children Project convened the first National Breastfeeding Leadership Roundtable (NBLR) in January 1996 to determine if another organization was needed to move breastfeeding forward in this country. Working on the international model, the formation of this committee satisfied part of one of the four operational targets set forth by the 1990 Innocenti Declaration: "to establish a multi-sectoral national breastfeeding committee composed of representatives from relevant government departments, non-governmental organizations, and health professional associations in every country."

It was agreed at that meeting of nineteen breastfeeding leaders to do four things. First, to support ongoing breastfeeding projects in the United States. Second, to develop a strategic plan for breastfeeding in the United States. Third, to formalize NBLR into the United States Breastfeeding Committee (USBC). And finally, to establish the organization of USBC and its leadership, the NBLR continued to meet twice a year and in January 1998 voted to declare itself, with the encouragement of Assistant Surgeon General Dr. Audrey Nora, the United States Breastfeeding Committee.

USBC Milestones

2000: USBC is incorporated in the State of Florida.

2001: USBC unveils Breastfeeding in the United States: A National Agenda.

2002: USBC is designated as a tax exempt nonprofit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

2004: USBC moves to Washington, DC.

2006: USBC holds the First National Conference of State Breastfeeding Coalitions.

2008: USBC holds the Second National Conference of State/Territory Breastfeeding Coalitions.