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. In addition to the National Breastfeeding Month proclamation, the day's events included participation in the Big Latch On and a visit from the Latch On America cross-country bus tour. The text of the Proclamation is below.

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