August is recognized as National Breastfeeding Month, and Kansas is celebrating a notable achievement in this area, with recent data from the Centers for Disease Control indicating that the state ranks fourth in the nation for infants exclusively breastfeeding at three months and fifth at six months. This progress reflects the collective efforts of various stakeholders, including child care providers, who play a crucial role in supporting breastfeeding families.

The governor of Kansas has officially proclaimed August as Kansas Breastfeeding Month, coinciding with World Breastfeeding Week, which kicks off the month. Local health departments and organizations have been actively hosting events to promote breastfeeding awareness and support. Throughout August, specific weeks are dedicated to raising awareness among different populations, including Indigenous, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and Black communities, culminating in Latina Breastfeeding Week in early September.

A key focus of the meeting was the importance of child care providers in fostering a breastfeeding-friendly environment. The Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition has established a \"Breastfeeding Friendly Childcare Program,\" which sets criteria for child care facilities to create welcoming spaces for breastfeeding families. This initiative aligns with new childcare licensing regulations that require providers to have plans in place for accommodating breastfeeding.

The program emphasizes five main criteria: creating a welcoming environment, establishing an infant feeding policy, providing parent information, ensuring staff education, and supporting breastfeeding employees. Over the past decade, more than 6,600 child care providers have received training on how to support breastfeeding mothers and families, with recent efforts to offer this training in Spanish to better serve diverse communities.

As Kansas continues to promote breastfeeding, the collaboration among health departments, child care providers, and community organizations is vital in ensuring that families receive the support they need. The Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition encourages ongoing engagement and education to further enhance breastfeeding rates and support across the state.