Washington State Nutrition & Physical Activity Plan
Nutrition Objective 3
Increase the proportion of mothers who breastfeed their infants and toddlers

Human milk provides the best nutrition for infants and children.(1,2) Breastfed children are healthier, incur fewer health care costs, and are less likely to experience obesity and chronic diseases when they are older.(3,4) If 75 percent of infants were breastfed early in life and 50 percent were still breastfed at six months, as recommended by the U.S. Surgeon General, it would save an estimated $3.6 billion in health care costs.(5) Breastfeeding avoids the financial and environmental costs associated with the manufacture and transportation of formula and disposal of formula containers.

Families and Individuals

Almost all mothers would breastfeed if they understand how breastfeeding works and are confident that they can provide the milk their baby needs. Early breastfeeding experiences are very important. When babies nurse frequently, mothers will produce enough milk. The key components of breastfeeding success recommended by national professional health organizations are as follows.(1,2,3,4)

Knowledge, Preparation and Planning

• Mothers are more likely to breastfeed when health professionals recommend breastfeeding.
• Families can learn about breastfeeding and make plans to have access to professional help if they need it to get breastfeeding off to a good start.
• Milk supply will decrease if the infant and mother go too long between feedings; families can plan ahead for times when mothers and babies will be apart or will need a clean and comfortable place to nurse away from home.

Support

• Delays in early breastfeeding can lead to ongoing problems; mothers and babies need breastfeeding support at birth.
• Active support and encouragement from fathers and other family members leads to better breastfeeding.
• The materials produced by formula companies and formula sample packs undermine a woman’s confidence in her ability to breastfeed.

Priority Recommendation

• Assure that health care settings, child care facilities, and worksite environments support breastfeeding

Featured Resources

• Increasing Breastfeeding Success: Training Presentations for Healthcare Providers
• The Business Case for Breastfeeding: Tool Kit
• International Breastfeeding Symbol