Breastfeeding Week shines a spotlight on the vital role of breastfeeding in infant health and maternal well-being. This annual event, also known as World Breastfeeding Week, aims to educate and support mothers, families, and communities about the benefits of breastfeeding. It serves as a reminder of the importance of providing infants with the best start in life through optimal nutrition and nurturing.
The celebration of Breastfeeding Week brings together various organizations and programs to promote and support breastfeeding practices. Among these are the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program and the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). These initiatives play a crucial role in offering resources, education, and support to breastfeeding mothers and their families. Through their efforts, they help to create a more supportive environment for breastfeeding and contribute to the overall health and well-being of communities.
National WIC Breastfeeding Week, celebrated annually during the first week of August, coincides with World Breastfeeding Week to highlight the significance of breastfeeding [1]. This event serves as a platform to promote and support breastfeeding as the optimal source of nutrition for infants [2]. The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program plays a crucial role in elevating breastfeeding awareness and improving health outcomes for mothers and babies [1].
Breastfeeding has numerous advantages for both infants and mothers. For babies, breast milk provides ideal nutrition and supports growth and development [3]. Breastfed infants have a lower risk of various health issues, including respiratory infections, ear infections, asthma, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) [4]. Additionally, breast milk contains antibodies that help strengthen the baby’s immune system and protect against infections [4].
Mothers also benefit from breastfeeding. It can reduce the risk of breast and ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure [3]. Breastfeeding may also help with postpartum weight loss, although individual experiences may vary [4].
To support breastfeeding efforts, various organizations provide education and resources. The WIC program offers breastfeeding courses for healthcare professionals to ensure consistent, evidence-based lactation education [5]. The WIC Breastfeeding Support website features social media toolkits, messages, videos, and infographics to promote breastfeeding [2].
The Texas WIC Program collaborates with the Texas Association of Local WIC Directors to provide current, research-based lactation education [5]. These initiatives aim to create a supportive environment for breastfeeding mothers and contribute to the overall health and well-being of communities.
Even though breast milk is recommended, the benefits of bottle feeding for those who can’t breastfeed are numerous. There are many reasons why mothers choose infant formula, and they are all valid. For instance, formula feeding allows anyone to feed the baby, including grandparents or babysitters, providing flexibility for working mothers 6. It also enables partners to participate in nighttime feedings, fostering early bonding opportunities 6.
Formula-fed babies may require fewer feedings as they digest formula more slowly than breast milk 6. Additionally, formula feeding offers the advantage of being able to measure the exact amount of food the baby consumes 7.
When selecting a baby formula, parents should focus on the protein and carbohydrate content, as these ingredients have the most impact on a baby’s comfort and digestion [7]. It’s essential to examine the ingredient list rather than relying on marketing claims on the front of the package. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) defines iron-fortified infant formula as containing 1 milligram or more of iron per 100 kilocalories [8]. Parents can verify this information on the Nutrition Facts label [9].
For parents who choose to combine breastfeeding and bottle feeding, it’s recommended to establish breastfeeding exclusively for the first few weeks before introducing a bottle [10]. When introducing formula, it’s best to do so gradually, starting with a second feeding of the day when the baby is hungry but not overly so [10]. To maintain milk supply, mothers should try to pump when they would normally nurse [10].
The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) has implemented supportive policies to encourage breastfeeding in childcare settings. Meals that include expressed or pumped breast milk are reimbursable, allowing childcare providers to claim these meals [6]. For infants up to 6 months old, breast milk alone can be claimed as breakfast, lunch, and a snack, as long as the minimum required amount is offered [6]. The program also allows for the reimbursement of meals when a parent breastfeeds at the childcare site, without the need for a written request [6].
The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) regulations require that iron-fortified infant formula be served to infants ages 0-11 months [11]. Formulas must contain at least 1 mg of iron per 100 calories when prepared according to label instructions [11]. It’s important to note that homemade infant formulas are not regulated by the FDA and are not creditable under any circumstances in the CACFP [8].
Learn more CACFP tips for infants here.
Childcare centers play a crucial role in supporting breastfeeding mothers and their infants. They are encouraged to provide a welcoming, knowledgeable staff and a supportive environment [7]. Best practices include proper storage and handling of breast milk, safe thawing and warming procedures, and practicing paced feeding to mimic breastfeeding [7]. Centers are advised to designate a comfortable, private area for mothers to breastfeed or pump, clearly marked with words, pictures, or the universal breastfeeding symbol [7].
Education is key to creating a breastfeeding-friendly childcare environment. Providers are encouraged to train all staff on the facility’s breastfeeding policies [8]. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Public Health Association (APHA) recommend that facilities should encourage, provide arrangements for, and support breastfeeding [9]. This includes having a posted breastfeeding policy, establishing procedures for storing and handling breast milk, and ensuring staff members are well-trained in these procedures [9].
Various resources are available to help childcare providers support breastfeeding families. The CACFP Trainer’s Tools: Feeding Infants kit offers suggestions for creating a breastfeeding-friendly environment and introduces the “Breastfed Babies Welcome Here! A Mother’s Guide” as a resource [10]. States like Illinois offer trainings and tools to support childcare providers in creating breastfeeding-friendly policies, practices, and environments [11]. Additionally, online resources such as the Carolina Global Breastfeeding Institute’s “Breastfeeding University” provide evidence-based learning modules for childcare providers [11].
Breastfeeding Week serves as a powerful reminder of the crucial role that breast milk plays in infant health and maternal well-being. The combined efforts of programs like WIC and CACFP have a significant impact on raising awareness and providing support to breastfeeding mothers. These initiatives contribute to creating an environment where breastfeeding is encouraged, understood, and valued, ultimately leading to better health outcomes for both mothers and babies.
The ongoing commitment to educate healthcare professionals, childcare providers, and families about breastfeeding is key to fostering a culture that supports this natural and beneficial practice. By offering resources, training, and supportive policies, these programs help to break down barriers and make breastfeeding more accessible and accepted. As we continue to highlight the importance of breastfeeding, we move closer to a future where every mother feels empowered to make informed choices about infant feeding, benefiting the health of generations to come.
[1] – https://www.nwica.org/blog/ways-to-promote-breastfeeding-all-month
[2] – https://wicworks.fns.usda.gov/topic/health-observances/national-wic-breastfeeding-week
[3] – https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/features/breastfeeding-benefits.html
[4] – https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/15274-benefits-of-breastfeeding
[5] – https://www.hhs.texas.gov/providers/wic-providers/wic-breastfeeding/wic-breastfeeding-trainings
[6] – https://mibreastfeeding.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/CACFP-reimbursement-info-and-rates.pdf
[7] – https://www.health.state.mn.us/people/breastfeeding/recognition/docs/childcaredocs/centerguide.pdf
[8] – https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/strategies/early-care-education/pdf/breastfeed-ece-082022-508.pdf
[9] – https://californiabreastfeeding.org/support-for-breastfeeding-in-early-education/
[10] – https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/cacfp/trainers-tools/feeding-infants/supporting-breastfeeding-mothers
[11] – https://iphionline.org/early-care-education-providers/
