To: Board of Supervisors
From: Grant Colfax, Health Services Director
Report Title: National Breastfeeding Month - August 2026
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
ADOPT resolution and ACCEPT presentation recognizing August 2026 as National Breastfeeding Month, August 1-7, 2026 as World Breastfeeding Week, and August 25-31, 2026 as Black Breastfeeding Week.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact for this action.
BACKGROUND:
National Breastfeeding Month and World Breastfeeding Week are recognized each August to promote and support breastfeeding, with the 2026 themes, respectively, of RISE (Resilience, Interdependence, Self Determination, Empowerment) and Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life. 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 provides optimal infant nutrition, reduces chronic disease and infection risk, supports maternal mental health, and strengthens parent-infant bonding. However, in the US only 25% of infants are exclusively breastfed in the first six months of life and 60% of mothers stop breastfeeding earlier than intended.
Significant disparities persist by race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status with Black infants and those from lower-income households less likely to be breastfed. Contra Costa Health is dedicated to reducing barriers, addressing disparities, and supporting breastfeeding as a vital foundation for lifelong health through case management, public health education, and its Baby Friendly Hospital designation at Contra Costa Regional Medical Center.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Failure to adopt this resolution would result in a missed opportunity to elevate awareness of persistent racial and socioeconomic disparities in breastfeeding rates within Contra Costa County and recognize the dedicated work of Contra Costa Health programs that serve thousands of families across the County each year.
The Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County, California
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IN THE MATTER OF Recognizing August 2026 as National Breastfeeding Month
World Breastfeeding Week, August 1- August 7, 2026
And Black Breastfeeding Week, August 25-August 31, 2026
WHEREAS, National Breastfeeding Month and World Breastfeeding Week are recognized each August to promote and support breastfeeding, with the 2026 themes, respectively, of RISE (Resilience, Interdependence, Self Determination, Empowerment) and Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life; and
WHEREAS, Black Breastfeeding Week raises awareness in the Black community and highlights the need for culturally relevant breastfeeding support and resources; and
WHEREAS, breastfeeding provides optimal infant nutrition, reduces chronic disease and infection risk, supports maternal mental health, and strengthens parent infant bonding; and
WHEREAS, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, but only 25% of U.S. infants meet this recommendation and 60% of mothers stop breastfeeding earlier than intended; and
WHEREAS, disparities persist by race, ethnicity, and income, with Black infants and those from lower-income households less likely to be breastfed; and
WHEREAS, several factors influence a parent’s ability to breastfeed, including having access to culturally relevant community-based breastfeeding support; and
WHEREAS, Contra Costa Health (CCH) promotes and supports breastfeeding through case management, public health education, and its Baby Friendly Hospital designation at Contra Costa Regional Medical Center; and
WHEREAS, CCH Family, Maternal, and Child Health programs, including Black Infant Health, Adolescent Family Life, Prenatal Care Guidance, and Perinatal Equity provide culturally responsive breastfeeding support to community members and contributes annually to the African American Baby Shower during Black Breastfeeding week; and
WHEREAS, CCH Women, Infants & Children (WIC) Program expands equitable access to breastfeeding support for low income and underserved families through culturally sensitive education, skilled lactation care, and community engagement; and
WHEREAS, WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselors and Lactation Consultants provided individualized support to 1,980 families, addressing barriers and empowering parents with evidence-based guidance; and
WHEREAS, WIC celebrates National Breastfeeding Month through events at local offices that promote breastfeeding benefits and peer support, welcoming over 1,250 families in 2025.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors hereby recognizes National Breastfeeding Month, World Breastfeeding Week, and Black Breastfeeding Week, and honors Contra Costa Health’s dedication to reduce barriers, address disparities, and support breastfeeding as a vital foundation for lifelong health.