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

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

WHEREAS, all major medical authorities recommend that mothers breastfeed exclusively for six months and continue breastfeeding for at least the first year of a child’s life; and

WHEREAS, North Dakota state law protects a woman’s right to breastfeed her child in any location, public or private, where the woman and child are otherwise authorized to be; and

WHEREAS, employers that provide breastfeeding support experience an impressive return on investment, including lower health-care costs, absenteeism and turnover rates, and improved morale, job satisfaction and productivity; and

WHEREAS, federal law now requires support at work for some mothers who breastfeed, including the provision of a location, other than a bathroom, and reasonable break times to express breast milk; 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; and

WHEREAS, the Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding calls on health-care providers, employers, insurers, policymakers, researchers and the community at large to support mothers in reaching their personal breastfeeding goals.

NOW, THEREFORE, as Governor of the State of North Dakota, I do hereby proclaim August 1-7, 2012, BREASTFEEDING WEEK in the state of North Dakota.

Signed Proclamation: 

Breastfeeding Week.pdf