STATE OF NEW YORK 
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER 
Proclamation

Whereas, the first week of August is recognized as World Breastfeeding Week – a global initiative to raise awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding and its important and positive long-term effects on the growth and development of infants; and

Whereas, the New York State Department of Health, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Surgeon General encourage breastfeeding during the first six months of infancy as it is the best way an infant can obtain the nutritional and emotional resources needed during the first year of life; and

Whereas, breastfeeding promotes overall health, growth and development, and helps to prevent infections during infancy, as well as asthma, obesity, diabetes, and other chronic illnesses in childhood and later adulthood; and

Whereas, mothers benefit from breastfeeding as it not only advances postpartum recovery and return to pre-pregnancy weight, but decreases the risk of ovarian, uterine and endometrial cancers, as well as anemia, diabetes and osteoporosis; and

Whereas, women with infants and children are one of the fastest growing segments of the U.S. labor force, yet women cite returning to work as one of the primary reasons for not continuing to breastfeed to six months of age; and

Whereas, accommodations for breastfeeding at work benefit not only women and children, but employers as well – there are cost savings in terms of health care (less illness among breastfed children), higher morale and a stronger sense of loyalty among women employees, and greater awareness of a positive, family-friendly image in the community; and

Whereas, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force finds that structured breastfeeding education and lactation counseling programs for women and their families before, during, and after the birth of an infant results in increased rates of breastfeeding initiation and exclusivity and increased duration of breastfeeding; and

Whereas, the World Health Organization has identified ten evidence-based steps that hospitals can take to increase breastfeeding initiation, duration and exclusivity, including supporting the first nursing within 30-60 minutes of birth; and

Whereas, New York State recognizes that it is vital to make informed choices about the health and care of infants and supports increased efforts by hospital staff, providers, employers and all New Yorkers to encourage breastfeeding which benefits mothers as well as infants, who gain valuable nutrition that advances healthy growth and development;

Now, Therefore, I, David A. Paterson, Governor of New York State, do hereby proclaim August 1-7, 2009 as

BREASTFEEDING WEEK

in the Empire State.

G i v e n under my hand and the Privy Seal of the State at the Capitol in the City of Albany this twentieth day of July in the year two thousand nine.

David A. Paterson
Governor