WHEREAS, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Dietetic Association, American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and other leading health organizations, breastfeeding is the optimal food for infants; and

WHEREAS, in 2011, the Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding states that one of the most highly-effective preventive measures a mother can take to protect the health of her infant and herself is to breastfeed; and

WHEREAS, breastfeeding reduces an infant’s risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), asthma, infectious diseases, diabetes and childhood obesity; and

WHEREAS, mothers who breastfeed reduce their risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer and type 2 diabetes; and

WHEREAS, the fastest growing segment of the workforce is women with children younger than three years of age, and in North Dakota, 30 percent of women who chose not to breastfeed cite returning to work as the reason; and

WHEREAS, employers benefit from healthier families in terms of lower health costs, higher moral, and lower absenteeism and turnover; and

WHEREAS, North Dakota employers who support breastfeeding mothers in the workplace can be designated as “Infant Friendly” by the North Dakota Department of Health.

NOW, THEREFORE, as Governor of the State of North Dakota, I do hereby proclaim August 1-7, 2011, BREASTFEEDING WEEK in the state of North Dakota.

Signed Proclamation: 

Breastfeeding Week.pdf