National Breastfeeding Month

Every August is celebrated as National Breastfeeding Month to promote the benefits for the health of babies, children, and women through breastfeeding. 2024’s theme is Nourish, Sustain, Thrive to help shine light on why protecting, promoting, and supporting lactation is so important. Every year, the U.S. Breastfeeding Committee and other organizations come together to create topics and events to help make the world a little more friendly for new parents and families by highlighting how individuals, funders, and policymakers can contribute to a strong and sustainable lactation field.

Breast milk is recognized as the best resource for baby to help them grow healthy and strong. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life (no other fluids or solids) and continuing to breastfeed while introducing complementary foods for at least 2 years.

While breastfeeding is a natural process, it is a skill that takes practice, and many people need help and support to succeed. Asking your prenatal care provider for information and learning as much as you can about breastfeeding during the pregnancy can help reduce anxiety and assist in this learning process. Read a book, watch videos online, or read trusted articles to gain as much knowledge as possible. You can also look into classes in your area and ask other breastfeeding mothers questions to learn what can be expected once you start to breastfeed. Indicating to your birthing team or creating a birth plan that includes your desire to breastfeed your baby can help caregivers prepare services or additional support for your breastfeeding needs.

If you are struggling with breastfeeding, there is support out there!

 Lactation consultant or certified lactation professional- training and accredited certification, knowledgeable, can provide specialty care for preterm or special needs babies.

 Lactation support and advisory professional- training in breastfeeding, may not be certified. Can help baby learn to breastfeed and help parents with positioning, expressing, and storing of milk.

 Support groups- group of people that may have training or may just be using personal experiences. Can provide tips and emotional support.

The choice of whether or not to breastfeed is personal and can be influenced by many factors, including how much breast milk you produce, how much support you have, your medications, and how much time you have off work, along with your own preferences.

Even if you decide breastfeeding is not the right fit for you, remember, a fed baby is a happy baby!

For more information on 2024 National Breastfeeding Month events, please visit the

USBC website at https://www.usbreastfeeding.org/national-breastfeeding-month.html

This article is written by:

Audrey Blake, Pre-Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor

Supervised by: Lital Diament, MA LMFT #56973