KDHE reminds public about health benefits of breastfeeding and
mother's rights, during World Breastfeeding Week

New Kansas Law Ensures Mother's Right to Breastfeed

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) encourages Kansans to recognize the benefits of breastfeeding for new mothers and their infants during World Breastfeeding Week, which runs through August 7.

"Breastfeeding offers many health benefits to infants including proper nutrition, promotion of sensory and cognitive development, and protection from illness," said Linda Kenney, director of KDHE's Bureau of Children, Youth, and Family."

The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of the infant's life. Breastfeeding can continue until age two or beyond, as complimentary foods are introduced into the child's diet.

"KDHE recognizes the importance of breastfeeding---the health benefits to the mother and child are extraordinary," said Dr. Howard Rodenberg, KDHE Division of Health Director. "Breastfed infants have improved health and reduced medical costs. Breast milk lowers the risk of the baby developing asthma, ear infections, respiratory infections and obesity."

New Kansas law in 2006:

To help educate the public about the benefits of breastfeeding and the rights of breastfeeding mothers, the Kansas Legislature passed a law during the 2006 session that allows a woman to breastfeed her baby anywhere she has the right to be. The law was passed after a public policy debate about the need to support breastfeeding mothers in the home, workplace and community. The bill also amended a previous bill to allow a mother who is breastfeeding her child to postpone jury duty until the mother is no longer breastfeeding.

The new law states in part: "The State of Kansas acknowledges breast milk to be the most complete form of nutrition for infants, with a range of benefits for infant's health, growth, immunity and development."
---HB 2284, 2006 Session

Informational Card Available to Kansas Mothers:

To help educate the public about the law, KDHE and La Leche League of Kansas produced a breastfeeding informational card called Loving Support Makes Breastfeeding Work. The card was designed for nursing mothers to carry with them and share with the public or businesses that do not understand their right to breastfeed. The card has the law printed on it as well as additional information about breastfeeding.

In Kansas, more than 72 percent of new mothers breastfeed at the time of hospital discharge, compared to a national average of 70 percent. In the weeks that follow, there is a sharp decline in the numbers of mothers that breastfeed. At six months, only 28.8 percent of Kansas' mothers breastfeed compared to 33.2 percent for the United States.

To receive a supply of the breastfeeding cards, please call 1-800-332-6262. For more information on KDHE programs and services, please visit www.kdheks.gov.

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