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Breastfeeding resources

Breastfeeding resources

At times, breastfeeding can be challenging. With support, some of the issues with breastfeeding are temporary and can be resolved. There are people and resources that can help. Talk with your health care provider or use the tabs below or to the left to find the support you need.

If you are an employer, we have resources to help you support your employees who breastfeed. Learn the federal laws and ways to create time and space accommodations. We also have information to help you create a lactation policy at work.

Read more about breastfeeding from womenshealth.gov

  • It's Only Natural (ION): Mother’s Love, Mother’s Milk — A set of breastfeeding resources specifically designed for African-American women and their families. Information is provided on the health benefits of breastfeeding — not just for babies, but for moms too. The materials include facts about breastfeeding and practical tips on how to make breastfeeding work for families. This information is also beneficial for community‐based organizations, women’s health programs, and local hospitals, who provide breastfeeding support to families.
  • Supporting Nursing Moms at Work: Employer Solutions — More than 80% of new mothers in the United States initiate breastfeeding, 1 and 6 in every 10 new mothers are in the workforce. Materials and videos are available to help businesses support nursing mothers at work with cost-effective tips, and time/space solutions listed by industry. Learn federal rules and requirements for employers about breastfeeding and lactation at work. See success stories from all types of industries, including restaurants, retail, manufacturing, and more.
  • Your Guide to Breastfeeding — An easy-to-read publication that has how-to information and support to help women breastfeed. It explains why breastfeeding is best for baby, mom, and society and how loved ones can support a mother's decision to breastfeed. Expert tips and illustrations help new moms learn how to breastfeed comfortably and how to overcome common challenges. The wisdom of real moms is shared in personal stories that reassure and encourage. This publication is downloadable or the printed version can be ordered by health professionals and lactation consultants in bulk (25 – 200 copies) by calling 1-800-994-9662.

Read more about breastfeeding from other federal agencies

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
    • Best Fed Beginnings — This program helped hospitals improve maternity care and become Baby-Friendly designated hospitals. Baby-Friendly hospitals promote breastfeeding, among other mother/baby bonding efforts.
    • Breastfeeding Report Card — This report shows how breastfeeding is protected, promoted, and supported in each state and allows comparisons across states, making it an important tool for increasing breastfeeding nationwide.
    • The CDC Guide to Strategies to Support Breastfeeding Mothers and Babies (PDF, 2.5 MB) — This guide offers breastfeeding intervention strategies for states and local communities, including worksite programs, breastfeeding information, and peer support programs.
  • Healthy People 2020: Maternal, Infant, and Child Health Objectives — Ten-year national objectives to improve the health of Americans. The breastfeeding objectives include increasing the number of infants who are breastfed and increasing the length of time that mothers breastfeed. Another goal is increasing worksite lactation support programs.
  • HRSA Women's Preventive Services Guidelines — Information on clinical recommendations for preventive services that address women’s health needs, including breastfeeding services and supplies.
  • The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding (PDF, 925 KB) — This call to action describes specific steps communities, organizations, and people can take to participate in a society-wide approach to support mothers and babies who are breastfeeding.
  • Who Gets WIC and How to Apply — Information about the Women, Infants and Children Program.
  • LactMed® database — Information from the National Library of Medicine on drugs and other chemicals to which breastfeeding mothers may be exposed.

General information about breastfeeding on other websites

All material contained on these pages are free of copyright restrictions and maybe copied, reproduced, or duplicated without permission of the Office on Women’s Health in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Citation of the source is appreciated.
Page last updated: February 4, 2022