The New York State Department of Health is marking National Breastfeeding Month and World Breastfeeding Week, which runs from August 1 to 7, by encouraging breastfeeding and chestfeeding for the health of both infants and parents. The theme for this year, “Forward Together,” highlights the importance of working collectively to remove obstacles that families encounter.
“As a pediatrician, I’ve seen how breast/chestfeeding benefits a child’s health,” said State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald. “Breast/chestfeeding lowers the risk of respiratory illnesses, diabetes and sudden infant death syndrome in babies, while also protecting birth parents from high blood pressure and certain types of cancer. It’s so important that we break down barriers in our communities, health systems and workplaces, so every family has the support they need to reach their infant feeding goals.”
According to research cited by the department, human milk provides both short- and long-term health advantages due to its unique nutrients and antibodies. These help protect babies against diseases such as ear infections, lower respiratory infections, diarrhea, asthma, diabetes, and obesity later in life. Babies may receive human milk through direct breastfeeding or chestfeeding—a term referring to feeding from a person’s chest—or by consuming expressed milk via bottle or cup.
Over the past two decades, breastfeeding and chestfeeding rates have risen in New York State. More than 88 percent of infants start out being breastfed or chestfed. However, there are still disparities in these rates compared to national goals: only about 26 percent of infants are exclusively breastfed at six months and around 44 percent continue at twelve months—both figures fall short of the Healthy People 2030 targets.
To address these gaps, New York State has introduced various programs aimed at removing barriers for families wishing to feed their children human milk. The department also emphasizes policies supporting lactating employees’ rights to express milk at work.
While acknowledging that not everyone can breastfeed or chestfeed, officials note alternative options such as expressed milk given by bottle or cup, infant formula, or donor milk.
Further information on this year’s observances is available on the department’s website. Resources include community-based support for families using human milk for infant feeding; details about insurance coverage for lactation support services and breast pumps; as well as information on home visiting programs.
