Breastfeeding is one of the most effective steps a mother can
take to protect the health of her baby. All major medical authorities recommend
that mothers breastfeed exclusively for six months. In 2013, 87 percent of
Maine infants were ever breastfed, similar to the national average. More Maine
infants were exclusively breastfed for six months, 32 percent, than compared to
the U.S., 22 percent.
Maine’s efforts to protect, promote and support breastfeeding
include:
- 6 for ME, a healthcare quality
improvement initiative focused on breastfeeding best practices
- Women Infants and Children Nutrition Program (WIC):
Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Program and Breast Pump Loaner Program
- An active Maine State
Breastfeeding Coalition
- Collaborating with businesses
and communities to implement Maine’s Nursing Mothers in the Workplace and Right to Breastfeed laws
