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Last updated on Wednesday, August 1, 2018
(INDIANAPOLIS) - The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) is calling attention to the health benefits of breastfeeding as part of World Breastfeeding Week, a global initiative to raise awareness of the ways breastfeeding can improve the health of infants and mothers. In conjunction with the worldwide observance, Governor Eric J. Holcomb has declared August 1-7 as Breastfeeding Week in Indiana.
"Breastfeeding lays the foundation for good health because breastmilk is perfectly designed for the child's nutritional and immunity needs," said State Health Commissioner Kris Box, M.D., FACOG. "Breastfeeding Week is a great way for Hoosiers to recognize the value and importance of breastfeeding and show support for breastfeeding moms."
Breastfeeding protects infants against infectious diseases and has been shown to lower the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). National estimates suggest that if 90 percent of U.S. babies were breastfed exclusively for six months, nearly 1,000 infant deaths would be prevented. In 2016, 623 Indiana babies died before their 1st birthday.
Breastfeeding also promotes overall health, growth and development of infants and reduces the risk of developing asthma, obesity, diabetes and other diseases in childhood and adulthood.
Mothers benefit from breastfeeding, too. Breastfeeding has been shown to decrease the risk of ovarian and breast cancer, as well as type 2 diabetes. In addition, breastfeeding is economical because there is no formula to buy and healthier babies mean fewer visits to the doctor.
Three of every four mothers in Indiana start out breastfeeding their infants. However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) breastfeeding report card, at three months of age, only 39 percent of infants are exclusively breastfeeding, and at six months, only 16 percent of babies are still exclusively breastfed.
"Increasing our breastfeeding rates is a key strategy in our efforts to reduce infant mortality in Indiana," Dr. Box said. "We want to support all new mothers in their breastfeeding efforts and connect those who may be struggling with resources such as the MCH MOMS Helpline and The Milk Bank so they can get the help they need."
ISDH has developed the Indiana State Breastfeeding Plan, which was released in 2016, as a guide for breastfeeding advocacy and education across the state. ISDH has multiple divisions working under this plan to ensure that all women, babies and families in the state have an opportunity to set and meet their breastfeeding goals.
As part of that plan, ISDH is a partner in the recently founded Indiana Breastfeeding Alliance (IBA), which aims to increase breastfeeding initiation and duration rates across the state. The IBA consists of representatives from The Milk Bank; Indiana Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC); Community Health Network; and local breastfeeding coalitions.
In addition, ISDH's Sleep and Feeding Expert (SAFE) program awards hospitals that effectively promote breastfeeding by ensuring all mothers participate in immediate and uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact following birth, showing mothers how to express and store breastmilk, allowing the mother and baby to stay together at all times, connecting families to local resources and more.
World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated internationally August 1-7 each year. This year's theme, "Breastfeeding: Foundation of Life," highlights breastfeeding's role in reducing poverty and preventing hunger and malnutrition.
For more information on breastfeeding or to view a copy of the Breastfeeding Week proclamation, visit the ISDH Maternal and Child Health Division's webpage at www.in.gov/isdh/19571.htm.
For health and safety information, visit the ISDH website at www.in.gov/isdh and follow us on Twitter at @StateHealthIN and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/isdh1.
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