1. National Breastfeeding Month 2016: Breastfeed for a Healthier Future!

2. American Academy of Pediatrics Breastfeeding Policy Statement
Breastfeed exclusively for the first 6 months
Breastfeed at least through the first 12 months of age and thereafter as long as “mutually desired” by mother and infant
Breastmilk is the only food the infant needs for the first six months of life.
Most infants are not physically ready for other foods before 6 months of age.
Exclusive breastfeeding for approximately the first six months and support for breastfeeding for the first year and beyond as long as mutually desired by mother and child.
*World Health Organization (WHO) recommends at least 2 years.

3. AAP Recommendations
Provide breast milk even when mom and child are separated
Encourage family & community support
Media should portray breastfeeding as the norm
Employers provide space and time to accommodate milk expression
That arrangements be made to provide expressed breast milk if mother and child must be separated during the first year.
That breastfeeding continue for at least 12 months, and thereafter as mutually desired.
That the AAP encourages family and community support for breastfeeding, and breastfeeding be promoted as a normal part of daily life.
That the media be encouraged to portray breastfeeding as a positive norm.
That employers be encouraged to provide appropriate facilities and adequate time in the workplace for breast-pumping.

4. History of Breastfeeding
History of Breastfeeding video
Short video highlighting the history of breastfeeding in the United States, and what breastfeeding advocates are doing to promote breastfeeding

5. Healthy People 2020 Goals 82% breastfeeding initiation
61% continuing to 6 months
34% at 1 year
46.2% exclusively through 3 months
25.5% Exclusively through 6 months
The Healthy People Breastfeeding Goal for 2020 is to have 82% of women in the United States initiating breastfeeding. Initiation of breastfeeding has to do with the provision of mother’s breast milk to infants within one hour of birth. This early initiation of breastfeeding ensures that the infant receives the colostrum, or “first milk”, which is rich in protective factors.
The goal for six months is to have 61% of babies still getting nourishment from human milk
The goal for one year is to have 34% of babies still getting some of their nourishment from human milk or getting both human milk and artificial baby milk as well as solids.
"Exclusive breastfeeding" is defined as no other food or drink, not even water, except breast milk (including milk expressed or from a wet nurse) for 6 months of life, but allows the infant to receive Oral rehydration salts (ORS), drops and syrups (vitamins, minerals and medicines). The goal for exclusive breastfeeding at six months is 25.5%.
The goal for exclusive breastfeeding at three months 46.2.
EBF=Exclusive breastfeeding
BF=Breastfeeding

6. Breastfeeding Report Card 2014, United States
This chart compares the CDC’s Breastfeeding Report Card for 2014 in the United States to the Healthy People Goals for 2020.
How do we measure up? The US National statistics shows us that we have 79% breastfeeding initiation, 49% continuing to 6 months, 34% at 1 year. For exclusive breastfeeding we have 41% breastfeeding exclusively through 3 months, and 19% breastfeeding exclusively through 6 months.
In Texas, The US National statistics shows us that we have 78% breastfeeding initiation, 43% continuing to 6 months, 21% at 1 year. For exclusive breastfeeding we have 39% breastfeeding exclusively through 3 months, and 17% breastfeeding exclusively through 6 months.

7. Breastfeeding protects the health of infants and moms – for life.

8. Does Formula Stack up?
Ingredients in breastmilk are very different from those in formula
Formula is made from soy or cows milk
Ingredients in human milk are perfectly made to meet baby’s nutrition needs, and are easy for baby to digest
Use the Does Formula Stack Up? building block activity to demonstrate the difference between breastmilk and formula, and to highlight the long term health effects of breastfeeding for babies and moms.

9. For Babies, Breastfeeding reduces risk of: Ear Infections
Allergic reactions and asthma
Respiratory infections
Stomach problems
Obesity and diabetes
Childhood leukemia
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
Ear infections are one of the most common reasons for emergency care in infants and young children.
Human milk is the best food for premature babies because it fights infection.
Because breastfeeding offers so many health benefits to babies, this results in reduced health care costs and reduced employee absenteeism.
Breastfeeding is universally endorsed by the world’s health and scientific organizations as the best way of feeding infants.
Breastfeeding reduces babies’ risk of:
Not only does breastfeeding reduce a baby’s risk for diabetes, but breastfeeding is good for a diabetic mother as well. Some women have a lower insulin requirement while they are lactating.

10. For Moms, Breastfeeding reduces risk of:
breast and ovarian cancers
diabetes
postpartum depression
Breastfeeding provides a special bond between mom and baby
Breastfeeding helps to burn up to 600 calories a day
Breastfeeding releases hormones that relax mom
What is in it for Mom?
For the mother who works and must be separated from her baby for several hours per day, she has the added reassurance that she is continuing to provide her child with the healthiest nutrition available. When she is with her child, breast-feeding provides a special closeness with her baby.
Moms who don’t breastfeed are more likely to develop breast and ovarian cancer, diabetes, and postpartum depression. The longer a woman breastfeeds, the lower her risk for breast and ovarian cancer.
Breastfeeding burns up to 600 calories and hormones are released that help her to relax.

11. Breastfeeding protects and cultivates healthier cultures
Children who are breastfed are more likely to breastfeed their children.
Cultivates healthier cultural practices in populations that are less likely to breastfeed,
Narrows health disparities amongst the different population groups.
Low rates of breastfeeding in the United States contribute to almost 1,000 child deaths, and many more cases of illness and infections, every year.
Babies who were never breastfed are more likely to die of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) than breastfed infants.
Infants who were never breastfed are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in adulthood than infants who were breastfed.
Children who were not breastfed are more likely to be obese than children who were breastfed. They are also more likely to develop chronic diseases related to obesity in adulthood.
Children who were not breastfed and have a family history of asthma are more likely than children who were breastfed to develop asthma.
Babies who are breastfed as infants were found to score higher on standardized intelligence tests, and were found to have increased school performance and income earning in adulthood.
Almost 5,000 cases of breast cancer could be prevented in the United States every year if more women breastfed. Breastfeeding may also reduce a woman’s risk of ovarian cancer.

12. Breastfeeding protects the environment
Breastmilk is a renewable resource that comes packaged and warmed, and therefore does not generate waste.
Breastmilk is produced and delivered to the consumer without any pollution.
Not breastfeeding has environmental costs as formula leaves an ecological footprint, needing energy for manufacture, packaging materials, as well as fuel for transport.
Formula cans and bottle supplies create more trash and plastic waste.
Reduced waste of natural resources and water, and decreased garbage and pollution

13. Breastfeeding protects the family’s economy.
Formula and feeding supplies can cost well over $1,500 each year.
Mothers who breastfeed miss less days of work to care for sick infants than mothers who feed their infants formula.
Saves time that would have been used for formula prep and sterilizing bottles
Breastfed babies are sick less often, which helps to reduce family medical care costs.
If 90% of US families could comply with medical recommendations to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months, the United States would save $13 billion per year and prevent an excess 911 deaths, nearly all of which would be in infants.
Breastfed children are healthier, which makes for a more productive workplace in the future . Moms who breastfeed save time that would have been used for formula prep. There're no bottles to warm in the middle of the night.
Decreased tax dollars spent to subsidize dairy farming, free formula, and health care programs
Potential for reduced health insurance premiums

14. Breastfeeding protects the lives of babies during emergencies.
In an emergency, breastfeeding:
Breastmilk is always safe and readily available.
Protects baby from the risks of unsafe water for formula prep.
Protects your baby against respiratory illnesses and diarrhea.
Breastmilk is always at the right temperature, and helps to keep baby's body temperature from dropping too low.
In a Disaster or an Emergency, there may be no clean drinking water ,no sterile environment., and it may be impossible to ensure cleaning and sterilization of feeding utensils. The cleanest, safest food for an infant, in disasters or emergencies, is human milk.

15. WIC Promotion and Support of Breastfeeding
Food benefits
Largest food package for exclusively breastfeeding moms
Breast pump issuance when not covered by health plan
Education on how to use the breast pump
Exclusively breastfeeding moms get the largest food package benefits at WIC. Moms also get breastfeeding support for baby’s first year of life. Exclusively breastfed baby also gets more food

16. WIC Promotion and Support of Breastfeeding
Access to skilled nutrition and lactation support
International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC)
Breastfeeding peer counselors
Registered Dietitians (RD)
Referrals (MD, IBCLC, LLL, Pediatrician)
Hotlines and warm lines
WIC provides continuity of care and support for moms after release from hospital, and provides referrals' and linkages to other services in the community

17. Texas Lactation Support Centers
Texas Lactation Support Hotline - Available 24/7
Mom’s Place – Austin
Lactation Care Center – Dallas
Lactation Foundation – Houston
Lactation Care Center – McAllen
Texas has 4 lactation centers that are open to non-WIC eligible moms. Moms can call to schedule an appointment with a lactation consultant