Great Lakes Wire

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has declared August 2025 as Breastfeeding Month, underscoring the state’s commitment to supporting breastfeeding as a public health priority. The month will feature several observances, including World Breastfeeding Week from August 1-7 and specific weeks dedicated to Indigenous, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, Black, and Latina/x communities.

Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive for Michigan, stated: “Breastfeeding can be beneficial to both babies and parents and protect babies against allergies, sickness and many diseases. We recognize that not all parents are able to breastfeed, and in those cases we offer resources to ensure that the nutritional needs of infants are met, and that parents feel supported. Michigan is committed to helping breastfeeding parents reach their goals through community-based support including doulas, lactation consultants and peer counselors.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding up to age two years or longer. Research shows breastmilk can lower the risk of various infections in infants as well as chronic conditions such as obesity and Type 2 Diabetes. For parents who breastfeed, it can reduce risks of certain cancers and cardiovascular disease.

Despite high initiation rates—about 90% of Michigan families start breastfeeding—there remain disparities between racial groups. White non-Hispanic families have an initiation rate of 91.3%, while Black non-Hispanic families have a rate of 81.6%. These differences reflect barriers such as limited support within healthcare systems, lack of affordable childcare options, and insufficient paid leave.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), optimal breastfeeding could save more than 820,000 children under five each year worldwide.

The state is working on several initiatives aimed at removing barriers for families who want to breastfeed:

- Educating healthcare providers about the benefits of breastfeeding.

- Increasing access to support services like online resources and doula-led training.

- Partnering with local providers.

- Expanding childcare access by increasing provider compensation.

- Requiring implicit bias training for clinicians.

- Offering training opportunities related to breastfeeding for clinicians and community organizations.

Michigan’s Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program is also participating in National Breastfeeding Month with the theme “WIC Supports Superheroes.” WIC provides free access to lactation consultants via telehealth or in-person appointments; ensures all staff receive lactation training; offers additional food benefits for breastfeeding clients; provides extra foods for breastfed babies at six months; and operates a warmline available daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 833-MIWICBF (833-649-4223).