Federal Policies, Programs, & Initiatives
Thanks to the insights and advocacy efforts of individuals and organizations across the nation, a wide range of federal policies and programs are working to support breastfeeding families. Find key links and details sorted by topic below.
Current Federal Policies & Resources
Mothers & Families
- WIC Breastfeeding Support – Learn Together. Grow Together (U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2018)
- Your Guide to Breastfeeding (2017)
- Safe to Sleep (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, 2012)
Health Care
- Women's Preventive Services Initiative (Health Resources & Services Administration, 2016)
- Breastfeeding: Primary Care Interventions (U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, 2016)
- Primary Care Interventions to Promote Breastfeeding (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2015)
- IHS Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (Indian Health Service, 2013)
Employment
- Supporting Nursing Moms at Work (Office on Women's Health, 2014, revised 2019)
- Apoyo a la lactancia materna en el trabajo (Office on Women's Health, 2014, revised 2019)
- Employment Protections For Workers Who Are Pregnant or Nursing (U.S. Department of Labor, 2015)
- It's Only Natural (Office on Women's Health, 2014)
- Nursing Mothers in Federal Employment (U.S. Office of Personnel Management, 2010)
- Guide for Establishing a Federal Nursing Mother’s Program (U.S. Office of Personnel Management, 2013)
Research
- Breastfeeding Report Card (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, biannual)
- Maternal and Fetal Effects of Mental Health Treatments in Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women: A Systematic Review of Pharmacological Interventions (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2019)
- Breastfeeding Programs and Policies, Breastfeeding Uptake, and Maternal Health Outcomes in Developed Countries (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2018)
- Pregnancy and Birth to 24 Months (U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2012)
Cross-Sector
- Guide to Strategies to Support Breastfeeding Mothers and Babies (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013)
- The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding (Office of the Surgeon General, 2011)
- National Prevention Strategy (Office of the Surgeon General, 2011)
Current Federal Programs that Include Breastfeeding
Communities
- Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program (Health Resources & Services Administration)
- Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) (U.S. Department of Agriculture)
- Child and Adult Care Food Program (U.S. Department of Agriculture)
Health Care
- Title V Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant Program (Maternal and Child Health Bureau)
- Healthy Start (Maternal and Child Health Bureau)
Employment
- Head Start (Administration for Children & Families)
Research
- National Immunization Survey (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Infant Feeding Practices Study II (IFPS II) (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care (mPINC) Survey (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Cross-Sector
- Healthy People 2030 (Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion)
- Healthy People 2020 Law and Health Policy project (Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion)
Current Federally-Funded Initiatives
Mothers & Families
- National Action Partnership to Promote Safe Sleep Improvement and Innovation Network (NAPPSS-IIN) (Maternal and Child Health Bureau)
Health Care
- EMPower Breastfeeding Initiatives (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Reducing Breastfeeding Disparities through Continuity of Care (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Breastfeeding Physician Education & Training Project Advisory Committee (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Public Health Infrastructure
- Learning Community to Improve State Health Agency Capacity for Breastfeeding Promotion and Support (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Children’s Healthy Weight Collaborative Improvement & Innovation Network (Maternal and Child Health Bureau)
Older Documents and Initiatives
- Surgeon General's Workshop on Breastfeeding and Human Lactation (1984)
- National Breastfeeding Policy Conference (1998)
- HHS Blueprint for Action on Breastfeeding (2000)
- The CDC Guide To Breastfeeding Interventions (2005)
- AHRQ Evidence Report: Breastfeeding and Maternal and Infant Health Outcomes in Developed Countries (2007)
- Let's Move! and the White House Task Force on Childhood Obesity (2010-2016)
- Best Fed Beginnings (2011)