III 

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 


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•SRES 299 IS 

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— 


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(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 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) designates the first week of August 2019 as 

3 ‘‘World Breastfeeding Week’’; 


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1 (2) designates August 2019 as ‘‘National 

2 Breastfeeding Month’’; 

3 (3) supports the goals of World Breastfeeding 

4 Week and National Breastfeeding Month; and 

5 (4) supports policies and funding to ensure that 

6 all mothers who choose to breastfeed can access a 

7 full range of appropriate support from child care 

8 and health care institutions, health care insurers, 

9 employers, researchers, and government entities. 

Æ 


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