Breastfeeding essentials
Give yourself and your baby all the benefits of breastfeeding.
Along with doctors and all major medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization, we recommend:
- For the first 6 months, feed your baby only human milk, even if it is offered by bottle.
- After 6 months, continue breastfeeding while offering solid foods for at least the first 12 months or as long as you and your baby wish to continue.
Breastfeeding longer has benefits that last a lifetime.
Data
Lactation data is mostly self-reported data from families collected through various surveys.
- Breastfeeding data. (web page)
- Colorado breastfeeding rates data slides and graphs. (Google Drive folder)
- Colorado data and statistics. (CDPHE website)
- Colorado WIC data. (Colorado WIC website)
- Healthy People 2030 sets data-driven national objectives to improve health and well-being over the next decade. (U.S. Department of Human Services website)
- National Immunization Survey breastfeeding rates. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website)
- Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System data
- National PRAMS data. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website)
- Colorado Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) data. (CDPHE website)
- WIC breastfeeding data local agency report. (USDA website)
Toolkits
- Lactation Friendly toolkits, handouts and resources for workplaces, child care, health care, and families. (webpage)
- Lactation Toolkits and Resources. (Google Doc)
Child care
- Lactation-friendly child care providers. (webpage)
- Breastfeeding and child care information for parents. (webpage)
Toolkits
- Breastfeeding help, resources, and toolkits. (Colorado WIC webpage)
- Lactation toolkits & resources. (Google doc)
Workplace
- Breastfeeding in the workplace. (webpage)
- Find a Lactation-Friendly Recognized Employer. (Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition website)
- Employer recognition program info flyer. (Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition PDF)
- How to be an advocate flyer. (Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition PDF)
Baby-friendly hospitals
- Colorado baby-friendly hospital collaborative. (webpage)
- Colorado Celebrate 6 Award of Breastfeeding Excellence. (webpage)
Hospitals and health care providers
- Hospital and health care providers. (webpage)
Child care
- Breastfeeding and child care. (webpage)
Hospitals and health care providers
- Hospitals and health care providers. (webpage)
In the workplace
- Breastfeeding in the workplace. (webpage)
Parents and families
- Breastfeeding parents and families. (webpage)
Toolkits and resources
- Lactation toolkits & resources. (webpage)
While traveling
- Breastfeeding while traveling. (UC Health webpage)
World Breastfeeding Week and National Breastfeeding Awareness Month
World Breastfeeding Week is held in the first week of August every year. August is National Breastfeeding Awareness Month, a time dedicated to celebrating the benefits of human milk while also working to protect, promote, and support lactation practices and policies. It is an opportunity to raise awareness and reduce inequalities among lactating people.
- Campaigns and resources. (Google Folder)
Back to work resources
- Back to work checklist. (PDF)
- Breastfeeding conversation starters. (PDF)
- Breastfeeding in the workplace. (webpage)
- Breastfeeding essentials. (webpage)
- Breastfeeding support at work is the law.
- Lactation Friendly Recognized Employer. (Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition website)
- Talking to your boss about your pump
- Tips for approaching your supervisor. (PDF)
- What to do if your employer refuses to comply. (United States Breastfeeding Committee website)
- Workplace Support - Federal PUMP Act law guide. (United States Breastfeeding Committee website)
Breastfeeding support, information, and pumps
- Colorado WIC. (WIC website)
CDC
- Breastfeeding Frequently Asked Questions. (CDC website)
Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition
- Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition. (Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition website)
ACLU
- Breastfeeding discrimination. (ACLU website)
Colorado lactation laws
- Colorado lactation laws support breastfeeding (English). (PDF)
- Leyes de lactancia materna de Colorado (Spanish). (PDF)
- Colorado lactation laws. (Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition webpage)
- Colorado lactation laws PDF handout. (Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition)
- Colorado WIC Breastfeeding Laws Explained. (Colorado WIC website)
- Colorado breastfeeding in public law. (PDF)
- Colorado Workplace Accommodation for Nursing Mothers Act. (PDF)
- Summary of breastfeeding state laws. (National Conference of State Legislatures website)
Federal laws
- Federal workplace legislation under health care reform PUMP Act. (US Department of Labor website)
Colorado WIC
Colorado WIC website and resources are available in English and Spanish.
- Breastfeeding support, information, and pumps. (Colorado WIC website)
- Amamantando. (Colorado WIC website)
- Breastfeeding help, resources, and toolkits. (Colorado WIC webpage)
- Ayuda para la Lactancia. (Colorado WIC webpage)
Employer breastfeeding information
- Breastfeeding information for employers at a glance. (PDF)
- Lactation-Friendly Workplace toolkit for employers. (PDF)
- Promoting employee wellness handout for employers. (PDF)
- Employer recognition program info flyer. (Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition PDF)
- How to be an advocate flyer. (Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition PDF)
Insurance Covered Lactation Support
- Health First Colorado (Medicaid)
- The Cover All Coloradans website includes Health Benefits for Children and Pregnant Persons.
- Durable Medical Equipment website - Health First Colorado - Breast Pump Coverage
- Breast pump provider - access list for members. (PDF)
- Private Insurance (Healthcare.gov website)
- Affordable Care Act (US Department of Health and Human Services website)
- Breastfeeding coverage. (Healthcare.gov website)
- National Women's Law Center Breastfeeding Benefits Toolkit. (PDF)
- Find a pump. (Insurance Covered Breast Pumps website)
- Questions to ask your insurance. (WIC breastfeeding website)
Lactation-friendly child care providers and child care resources
- Find a Lactation-Friendly Child Care Provider in Colorado. (Healthy Child Care Colorado website)
- Breastfeeding in child care. (PDF)
- Choosing a breastfeeding-friendly child care. (PDF)
- Tips for Starting Your Breastfed Baby in Child Care: A toolkit for parents. (PDF)
- Consejos para que Su Bebe Comience a ir a la Guarderia: Un manual para los padres o tutores. (PDF)
Lactation-friendly workplaces
- Lactation-Friendly Workplaces
- Find a Lactation-Friendly Recognized Employer. (Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition website)
- Employer recognition program info flyer. (Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition PDF)
- How to be an advocate flyer. (Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition PDF)
Lactation support is covered by insurance
- Health First Colorado (Medicaid)
- Cover All Coloradans' Health Benefits for Children and Pregnant Persons. (Department of Healthcare Policy and Financing website)
- Durable Medical Equipment website - Health First Colorado - Breast Pump Coverage
- Breast pump provider - access list for members. (PDF)
- Private insurance - Affordable Care Act
- Breastfeeding coverage. (HealthCare.gov website)
- National Women's Law Center Breastfeeding Benefits Toolkit. (PDF)
- Find a pump. (Insurance Covered Breast Pumps website)
- Questions to ask your insurance provider. (WIC Breastfeeding Support website)
- WIC Breastfeeding resources. (WIC website)
La Leche League
- La Leche League of Mountain Plains website includes Colorado Groups. (La Leche League Colorado website)
- La Leche League International. (La Leche International website)
Letter to physicians
- Letter to physicians. (PDF)
Maternal and Child Health (MCH) priority
- Promote positive child and youth development. (webpage)
- Healthy Eating Active Living. (webpage)
Note to breastfeed
Office on Women’s Health
- The Office on Women’s Health (OWH) website offers breastfeeding tips and workplace support in English and in Spanish. You can also call the OWH HELPLINE: 1-800-994-9662 7 a.m. — 4 p.m. MST, Monday—Friday.
- Breastfeeding tips. (Office on Women's Health website)
- Lactancia materna. (Office on Women's Health website)
- Breastfeeding at home, at work, and in public. (Office on Women's Health website)
- Lactancia materna en el hogar, en el trabajo y en público. (Office on Women's Health website)