Saturday begins World Breastfeeding Week, a global initiative to raise awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding and celebrate the efforts of all who embrace breastfeeding as the cultural norm. In conjunction with the worldwide celebration, Governor Pence has declared August 1-7 as Breastfeeding Week in Indiana.
“Breast milk provides infants with the ultimate nutrition,” said State Health Commissioner Jerome Adams, M.D., M.P.H. “Breastfeeding Week is a great way for Hoosiers to recognize the value and importance of breastfeeding and demonstrate support for breastfeeding moms.”
Breastfeeding promotes overall health, growth and development of infants. It reduces infant mortality by protecting the infant against infectious diseases and has been shown to lower the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Breastfeeding also reduces the risk of developing asthma, obesity, diabetes and other diseases in childhood and later adulthood. The physical contact of breastfeeding also provides comfort and security to infants.
Mothers benefit from breastfeeding too. Breastfeeding provides a quiet time for mothers to bond with their babies. Breastfeeding is also economical because there is no formula to buy and healthier babies mean fewer visits to the doctor. In addition, breastfeeding has been shown to decrease the risk of ovarian and breast cancer, as well as type 2 diabetes.
National estimates suggest that if 90 percent of U.S. babies were breastfed exclusively for six months, nearly 1,000 infant deaths would be prevented, and the nation would save $13 billion per year in healthcare costs.
World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated internationally August 1-7 each year. This year’s theme, “Breastfeeding and Work: Let’s Make it Work,” highlights the importance of support for nursing mothers in workplaces.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Easy Steps to Supporting Breastfeeding Employees Resource, employers who implement a breastfeeding support program have lower medical costs and health insurance claims (up to three times less for breastfeeding employees), reduced turnover rates, lower absenteeism, improved productivity and higher employee morale.
For more information on breastfeeding or to view a copy of the Breastfeeding Week proclamation, visit www.StateHealth.in.gov. Follow the Indiana State Department of Health on Twitter at@StateHealthIN and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/isdh1.
