Breastfeeding Support

Breastfeeding is a public health game changer. It is low cost, low tech and seldom requires any durable medical equipment, drugs, or infrastructure. It does not discriminate. It improves the health of both boys and girls; healthy or sick; premature or full-term, rich or poor.

At HMHBGA our goal is to utilize advocacy, education and public-private partnerships to ensure that Georgia’s mothers can reach the six month mark of exclusive breastfeeding, a standard recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, by:

  • Ensuring access to breastfeeding support professionals, including International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) and Certified Lactation Counselors (CLCs)

  • Reducing stigma around public and workplace breastfeeding

  • Providing community-based education around the importance of breastfeeding and where to access support and resources when women encounter challenges

Want to find breastfeeding friendly locations in Georgia? Explore our Breastfeeding Map here!

BREASTMILK HAS SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM HEALTH BENEFITS. IT REDUCES THE RISK OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS (by the % shown):

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome 36%

Ear Infections 50%

Upper Respiratory Infections 63%

Lower Respiratory Infections 72%

RSV Bronchiolitis 74%

Asthma w/family history 40% / w/out family history 26%

Atopic Dermatitis 42%

Gastrointestinal Infections 64%

Gluten Intolerance (Celiac Disease) 52%

Type 1 Diabetes / Type 2 Diabetes 30% / 40%

Obesity (4% reduction for each month breastfed) 24%

WOMEN WHO BREASTFEED REDUCE THEIR LONG-TERM RISK OF:

pre-menopausal breast cancer,

ovarian cancer,

type 2 diabetes,

hypertension,

hyperlipidemia and

cardiovascular disease ( the #1 killer of women and recently determined to be the MOST costly women’s health condition).

BREASTFEEDING RESOURCES