[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 299 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 299

  Designating the first week in August 2019 as ``World Breastfeeding 
    Week'', and designating August 2019 as ``National Breastfeeding 
                                Month''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             July 31, 2019

 Mr. Merkley (for himself, Ms. Duckworth, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Markey, 
    Mr. Brown, Ms. Hirono, Mr. Cardin, and Mr. Coons) submitted the 
   following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the 
                               Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Designating the first week in August 2019 as ``World Breastfeeding 
    Week'', and designating August 2019 as ``National Breastfeeding 
                                Month''.

Whereas the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that a baby be fed 
        exclusively through breastfeeding for about the first 6 months after the 
        birth of the baby, followed by continued breastfeeding as complementary 
        foods are introduced, with continuation of breastfeeding for 1 year or 
        longer as mutually desired by the mother and infant;
Whereas the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action has designated the first 
        week of August as ``World Breastfeeding Week'', and the United States 
        Breastfeeding Committee has designated August as ``National 
        Breastfeeding Month'';
Whereas National Breastfeeding Month focuses on how data and measurement can be 
        used to build and reinforce the connections between breastfeeding and a 
        broad spectrum of other health topics and initiatives;
Whereas World Breastfeeding Week and National Breastfeeding Month provide 
        important opportunities to address barriers to breastfeeding faced by 
        families across the United States and around the world;
Whereas, according to the 2016 Breastfeeding Report Card of the Centers for 
        Disease Control and Prevention, 81.1 percent of mothers in the United 
        States, or about 4 out of every 5 mothers in the United States, start 
        breastfeeding their babies at the birth of their baby;
Whereas by the end of 6 months after the birth of a baby, breastfeeding rates 
        for mothers in the United States fall to 51.8 percent, and only 22.3 
        percent of babies in the United States are exclusively breastfed at 6 
        months of age;
Whereas 2 of every 3 mothers report that they are unable to reach their personal 
        breastfeeding goals;
Whereas there are substantial racial and ethnic disparities in breastfeeding 
        initiation and duration;
Whereas, in 2014, 85.7 percent of non-Hispanic White infants were breastfed, as 
        compared to--

    (1) 68.0 percent of non-Hispanic Black infants; and

    (2) 79.5 percent of non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native 
infants;

Whereas the Healthy People 2020 objectives for breastfeeding are that--

    (1) 82 percent of babies are breastfed at some time;

    (2) 61 percent of babies continue to be breastfed at 6 months; and

    (3) 34 percent of babies continue to be breastfed at 1 year;

Whereas breastfeeding is a proven primary prevention strategy that builds a 
        foundation for life-long health and wellness;
Whereas the evidence of the value of breastfeeding to the health of women and 
        children is scientific, solid, and continually reaffirmed by new 
        research;
Whereas a 2016 study of maternal and pediatric health outcomes and associated 
        costs based on 2012 breastfeeding rates indicates that if 90 percent of 
        infants were breastfed according to medical recommendations, 3,340 
        deaths, $3,000,000,000 in medical costs, and $14,200,000,000 in costs 
        relating to premature death would be prevented annually;
Whereas the great majority of pregnant women and new mothers want to breastfeed 
        but face significant barriers in community, health care, and employment 
        settings; and
Whereas a 2016 study found that universal breastfeeding--

    (1) could prevent 800,000 child deaths per year across the world; and

    (2) is an invaluable tool for mothers to provide essential nutrients to 
protect newborns against infectious diseases in developing countries: Now, 
therefore, be it

    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) designates the first week of August 2019 as ``World 
        Breastfeeding Week'';
            (2) designates August 2019 as ``National Breastfeeding 
        Month'';
            (3) supports the goals of World Breastfeeding Week and 
        National Breastfeeding Month; and
            (4) supports policies and funding to ensure that all 
        mothers who choose to breastfeed can access a full range of 
        appropriate support from child care and health care 
        institutions, health care insurers, employers, researchers, and 
        government entities.
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