BREASTFEEDING

Breastfeeding (also referred to as chestfeeding and bodyfeeding) supports good health for kids and breastfeeding parents. The World Health Organization and American Academy of Pediatrics both recommend that babies be fed human milk exclusively for the first six months (supplemented with formula as needed), and that breastfeeding/chestfeeding continue for at least two years as age-appropriate family foods are introduced. Laws and worksite policies that provide paid family leave and lactations accommodations (such as paid milk expression breaks and appropriate space at worksites) can make a big difference in helping people, especially women of color and people in service sector, manual labor, and other non-office jobs, start and maintain this healthy practice. Laws and policies can also support breastfeeding/chestfeeding across a community, including in public places and in healthcare, childcare, schools, and correctional settings.