Governor Laura Kelly has proclaimed August as “Kansas Breastfeeding Month,” emphasizing the health benefits of breastfeeding for Kansans. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition are collaborating to raise awareness about these benefits.

More than 90% of families in Kansas opt to breastfeed, yet fewer than one in four infants are exclusively breastfed for the first six months. Workplace barriers and lack of support can hinder parents’ ability to continue breastfeeding. Providing support in workplaces and childcare settings can enhance the long-term health of both babies and mothers. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends policy changes, including universal paid maternity leave and insurance coverage for lactation support, to address these challenges.

Governor Kelly’s proclamation emphasizes the responsibility of every Kansan to support breastfeeding. The Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition’s “State of Breastfeeding in Kansas 2023” report provides the latest breastfeeding rates and offers action items and resources for individuals, employers, childcare providers, healthcare professionals, and others to promote breastfeeding.