On March 26, 2013, the Ingham County Board of Commissioners approved the following resolution in suppport of breastfeeding in county buildings and property:

MARCH 26, 2013
Agenda Item No. 32
Introduced by the Human Services Committee of the:
INGHAM COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF BREASTFEEDING IN COUNTY BUILDINGS AND PROPERTY RESOLUTION # 13 –
WHEREAS, Breastfeeding is the biological way to feed babies and breastfeeding results in many health, nutritional, immunologic, developmental, social, and economic benefits for infants, mothers, families, and community; and
WHEREAS, Public health benefits of breastfeeding include protection for babies from infections and illnesses including diarrhea, ear infections, and pneumonia; lower rates of asthma, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), and obesity; and decreased risk of breast/ovarian cancers and post-partum depression for mothers; and
WHEREAS, The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that breastfeeding continue for at least 12 months, and thereafter for as long as mother and baby desire; The World Health Organization recommends continued breastfeeding up to 2 years of age or beyond; and                                                                                                            WHEREAS, 71% of mothers in Ingham County start out breastfeeding; of these babies, only 18% are breastfed at age 3 months and only 9% are exclusively breastfed at age 3 months; and                                                                                                            WHEREAS, the Ingham County Health Department (ICHD), recognizing the importance of breastfeeding and promoting optimal nutrition for pregnant women and young children, the Public Health Services Unit has incorporated into the home visiting model an International Board Certified Lactation consultant (IBCLC). The consultant provides expert breastfeeding and lactation care, promote changes that support breastfeeding and help reduce the risks of not breastfeeding. The Women, Infants and Children (WIC) office of ICHD also has added two IBCLC staff members. The ICHD also instituted a WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor who gives basic breastfeeding information and encouragement to WIC pregnant and breastfeeding mothers; and WHEREAS, the ICHD is a member of the Capital Area Breastfeeding Coalition which is a team of breastfeeding professionals and advocates in the Mid-Michigan/Lansing area. This group formed to better serve and support breastfeeding mothers via education, advocacy and resource support. The goal is to increase the number and duration of women in the Lansing, Michigan area who initiate and continue exclusive breastfeeding through the recommended time period.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Ingham County Board of Commissioners encourages breastfeeding and supports and protects a mother’s right to breastfeed throughout Ingham County buildings and property.