HomeMy WebLinkAboutNational Breastfeeding Month - BOH Proclamation
National Breastfeeding Month
August 2024
WHEREAS, human milk feeding is the biological norm for infant feeding and a proven primary
prevention strategy that builds a foundation for lifelong health and wellness; and,
WHEREAS, the evidence of the value of breastfeeding to the health of the mother and the child is
scientific,and continually reaffirmed by new research; and,
WHEREAS, the American Academy of Pediatrics and World Health Organization recommend
exclusive breastfeeding for about the first six months of life,with continued breastfeeding while introducing
complementary foods for two years or as long as mutually desired by the mother and child;and,
WHEREAS, the U.S. Breastfeeding Committee designates August as National Breastfeeding Month
designates August 1-7 as World Breastfeeding Week;and,
WHEREAS,recognizing and celebrating National Breastfeeding Month helps to build and reinforce the
connections between human milk feeding and a broad spectrum of other health topics and initiatives; and,
WHEREAS,the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention publishes a biennial Breastfeeding Report
Card which has consistently shown suboptimal breastfeeding initiation rates on the national and state levels,
as well as substantial declines in continued and exclusive breastfeeding as babies grow;and,
WHEREAS, the Healthy People initiative consistently identifies breastfeeding as a national health
priority;and,
WHEREAS, protecting and supporting human milk feeding is essential to ensuring infant nutrition
security and immunologic protection for Mason County's youngest people;and
WHEREAS, the consistent and well-documented health, economic, and environmental benefits of
human milk feeding show that this is an investment that will continue to produce measurable dividends
across the country and many times over for families,employers,and the government.
NOW,THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED,that the Board of Health hereby proclaims the month of
August as National Breastfeeding Month; supports the goals of National Breastfeeding Month,
World Breastfeeding Week,National WIC Breastfeeding Week,Indigenous Milk Medicine Week,
Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Breastfeeding Week, Black Breastfeeding
Week;Workplace Lactation Week; Latina/x Breastfeeding Week; and supports policies to ensure
that all pregnant and postpartum women and caregivers can access a full range of appropriate
support from healthcare institutions, insurers, employers, early care and education providers,
researchers,and government entities.
Signed this day of July 231,2024.
MASON COUNTY, WASHINGTON
B OF HEALTH
Darrin Moody,Hos ital District#1
i el Guiterrez,City ounci
Kevin Shutty,Commissioner
/r,� Z/ YA
R y Nediherlin,C61missioner
Sharon Trask,Commissioner
Peggy ran Buskirk,Hospital District#2
Gary Plews,Fire Commissioner
Keri Davidson,Shelton School Board