III 

115TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 605 

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

designating August as ‘‘National Breastfeeding Month’’. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

AUGUST 1, 2018 

Mr. MERKLEY (for himself, Ms. DUCKWORTH, Mr. BLUMENTHAL, Mr. 

CARDIN, Mr. CARPER, Mr. MARKEY, Mr. BROWN, Mr. KING, Mr. NELSON, Ms. CANTWELL, Mr. DURBIN, Mr. WYDEN, and Ms. HIRONO) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 

the Judiciary 

RESOLUTION 

Designating the first week in August as ‘‘World Breastfeeding Week’’, and designating August 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 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’’; 


lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with BILLS
2 

•SRES 605 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, 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; 


lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with BILLS
3 

•SRES 605 IS 

(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, 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; 

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— 


lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with BILLS
4 

•SRES 605 IS 

1 (1) designates the first week of August 2018 as 

2 ‘‘World Breastfeeding Week’’; 

3 (2) designates August 2018 as ‘‘National 

4 Breastfeeding Month’’; 

5 (3) supports the goals of National Breastfeed6 ing Month; and 

7 (4) supports policies and funding to ensure that 

8 all mothers who choose to breastfeed can access a 

9 full range of appropriate support from child care 

10 and health care institutions, health care insurers, 

11 employers, researchers, and government entities. 

Æ 


lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with BILLS