To: Board of Supervisors
From: Ori Tzvieli, Interim Health Services Director
Report Title: National Breastfeeding Month - August 2025
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
ADOPT resolution and ACCEPT presentation recognizing August 2025 as National Breastfeeding Month and designating August 1-7, 2025 as World Breastfeeding Week, and August 25-31, 2025 as Black Breastfeeding Week, as recommended by the Interim Health Services Director.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact for this action.
BACKGROUND:
National Breastfeeding month and World Breastfeeding week are recognized each August to promote, protect, and support breastfeeding as a key strategy for improving the health and well-being of mothers, infants, and families. Black Breastfeeding week is observed nationally to raise awareness within the black community and highlight the need for culturally relevant breastfeeding support and resource.
Breastfeeding is the best source of nutrition for most infants and has been shown to reduce the risk of chronic diseases, infections, and postpartum depression, however, in the United States only 25% of infants are exclusively breastfeed in the first six months of life and 60% of mothers stop breastfeeding earlier then intended.
Significant disparities persist by race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status with black infants and those from lower-income household less likely to breastfed.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
The Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County, California
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IN THE MATTER OF Recognizing August as National Breastfeeding Month and designating World Breastfeeding Week, August 1 through August 7, 2025 and Black Breastfeeding Week, August 25 through August 31, 2025
WHEREAS, National Breastfeeding Month and World Breastfeeding Week are recognized each August to promote, protect, and support breastfeeding as a key strategy for improving the health and well-being of mothers, infants, and families; and
WHEREAS, Black Breastfeeding Week is observed nationally to raise awareness within the Black community and highlight the need for culturally relevant breastfeeding support and resources; and
WHEREAS, breastfeeding is the best source of nutrition for most infants and has been shown to reduce the risk of chronic diseases, infections, and postpartum depression, while also strengthening parent-infant bond; and
WHEREAS, The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life; however, in the US, only 25% of infants meet this goal, and 60% of mothers stop breastfeeding earlier than they intended. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), significant disparities persist by race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, with Black infants and those from lower-income households being less likely to be breastfed; and
WHEREAS, several factors influence a parents’ ability to initiate and continue breastfeeding, including having limited access to community-based breastfeeding support that is culturally relevant; and
WHEREAS, Contra Costa Health (CCH) is committed to promoting, protecting, and supporting breastfeeding through case management, public health education, and its Baby-Friendly Hospital designation at Contra Costa Regional Medical Center reflecting a systemwide commitment to best-practice, evidence-based care, and staff training, which includes training of thousands of inpatient and outpatient healthcare staff and providers to competently support mothers in initiating and sustaining breastfeeding; and
WHEREAS, CCH Black Infant Health Program provides culturally relevant and responsive breastfeeding support that is resourced tailored to the needs of the Black families; and
WHEREAS, CCH Women, Infants & Children (WIC) Program plays a leading role in advancing equitable access to breastfeeding support, particularly for low-income and historically underserved families, by providing culturally sensitive education, skilled lactation support, and community engagement; and
WHEREAS, WIC’s Breastfeeding Peer Counselors and Lactation Consultants provided individualized care to 2,718 mothers in 2024, addressing barriers and empowering families with evidence based guidance; and
WHEREAS, WIC observes National Breastfeeding Month annually through events at local offices that highlight the health benefits of breastfeeding, foster peer support, and in 2024 welcomed over 1,500 WIC families across Conta Costa Couty during National Breastfeeding Month.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors hereby recognizes and celebrates National Breastfeeding Month, World Breastfeeding Week, and Black Breastfeeding Week, and honors Contra Costa Health’s ongoing work to eliminate barriers, reduce disparities, and support breastfeeding as a vital foundation for lifelong health and well-being.
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