Nutrition: Breastfeeding Resources
August 2022 was Breastfeeding Month!
Governor Tony Evers has issued proclamations celebrating August as National Breastfeeding Month and three unique weeks highlighting the Indigenous, Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, and Black communities. Human milk is the ideal first food and we’re proud to support efforts throughout Wisconsin to promote and support lactation for all families.
The National Breastfeeding Month 2022 theme was, “Together We Do Great Things!” This celebrated the power and impact of collective efforts. Its aim was to strengthen the capacity of all who can protect, promote, and support breastfeeding across all levels of society.
Policies, systems, and environments must align to help all families meet their infant feeding goals.
Learn more from the U.S. Breastfeeding Committee.
August 8-14, 2022: Indigenous Milk Medicine Week
Indigenous Milk Medicine Week 2022 (formerly Native Breastfeeding Week) centered on “Strengthening Our Traditions From Birth and Beyond.”
The week celebrated that Native breast/chestfeeding is a way to reclaim traditional feeding practices and body sovereignty.
Learn more about the Native Breastfeeding Coalition of Wisconsin and the Indigenous Milk Medicine Collective.
August 15-21, 2022: Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Breastfeeding Week
2022 marked the second annual nationwide Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Breastfeeding Week.
This year’s theme was “Telling Our Own Stories. Elevating Our Voices.”
We celebrated the unique cultures within this diverse community and recognized that each family deserves the support they need and desire.
Learn more from the Asian & Pacific Islander Breastfeeding Task Force.
August 25-31, 2022: Black Breastfeeding Week
Black Breastfeeding Week 2022 celebrated “10 Years, A New Foundation.”
Lactation support must be built on racial equity and community engagement and empowerment.
We applaud the champions across Wisconsin elevating the voices and leadership of Black families.
Follow Black Breastfeeding Week for more information and events.
Breastfeeding resources
The following websites include resources that help support breastfeeding and human milk feeding efforts.
- Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine—Brings medical doctors together to promote, protect, and support breastfeeding around the world.
- American Academy of Pediatrics: Breastfeeding—Provides recommendations, guidelines, and resources to health care professionals working with breastfeeding families.
- CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention): Breastfeeding—Includes data and statistics, guidelines and recommendations, and more.
- The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding—Provides the key findings and action steps from this 2011 report.
- U.S. Breastfeeding Committee—Brings organizations together to promote, protect and support breastfeeding across the country.
- Well Badger Resource Center—Offers a one-stop connection to community, social, health, and government programs.
- Wisconsin Association of Lactation Consultants—Offers support and education to lactation consultants, as well as supporting breastfeeding initiatives.
- Wisconsin Breastfeeding Coalition—Works to promote, protect, and support breastfeeding in Wisconsin.
Breastfeeding programs
The following Division of Public Health programs and initiatives support breastfeeding and human milk feeding efforts in Wisconsin.
- Maternal and Child Health Program (Title V) —Program that strives to improve the health and well-being of mothers, infants, children, and youth, and their families. This includes children and youth with special health care needs.
- Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity: Breastfeeding Initiatives—Program that offers resources to assess and implement breastfeeding supports and practices.
- Wisconsin WIC Program: Breastfeeding—Program that offers breastfeeding support to participating families.