III 

115TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 246 

Designating the first week in August 2017 as ‘‘World Breastfeeding Week’’, 

and designating August 2017 as ‘‘National Breastfeeding Month’’. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

AUGUST 3, 2017 

Mr. MERKLEY (for himself and Mr. MARKEY) submitted the following 

resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary 

RESOLUTION 

Designating the first week in August 2017 as ‘‘World 

Breastfeeding Week’’, and designating August 2017 as 

‘‘National Breastfeeding Month’’. 

Whereas the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 

that breastfeeding continue for at least 12 months after 

the birth of a baby and for as long as the mother and 

baby desire; 

Whereas the World Health Organization recommends continued breastfeeding for 2 years or longer after the birth of 

a baby; 

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’’; 


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•SRES 246 IS 

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; 

Whereas, according to the 2016 Breastfeeding Report Card 

of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4 of 

every 5 mothers, or 81.1 percent of mothers, in the 

United States start breastfeeding their babies; 

Whereas by the end of 6 months after the birth of a baby, 

breastfeeding rates fall to 51.8 percent, and only 22.3 

percent of babies 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 2013, 84.3 percent of non-Hispanic White infants initiated breastfeeding, as compared to— 

(1) 66.3 percent of non-Hispanic Black infants; and 

(2) 68.3 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 


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(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, during the first year of the life of a baby, a family 

that follows optimal breastfeeding practices can save between $1,200 and $1,500 in expenses on infant formula; 

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; and 

Whereas the great majority of pregnant women and new 

mothers want to breastfeed but face significant barriers 

in community, health care, and employment settings: 

Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) designates the first week of August 2017 as 

3 ‘‘World Breastfeeding Week’’; 

4 (2) designates August 2017 as ‘‘National 

5 Breastfeeding Month’’; 

6 (3) supports the goals of National 

7 Breastfeeding Month; and 


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•SRES 246 IS 

1 (4) supports policies and funding to ensure that 

2 all mothers who choose to breastfeed can access a 

3 full range of appropriate support from health care 

4 institutions, health care insurers, employers, and 

5 government entities. 

Æ 


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