Last week, the Make America Healthy Again Commission released its MAHA Strategy, outlining a new federal approach to addressing the childhood chronic disease crisis. This strategy begins at the very start of life. Under it, the Department of Health and Human Services will partner with the Department of Agriculture to increase breastfeeding rates and develop policies that promote and safeguard a reliable supply of donor human milk.
We celebrate the extraordinary ability of mothers to provide the gold standard of infant nutrition, human breast milk, while recognizing that every breastfeeding journey is unique, rewarding, and often challenging. That is why we are committed to ensuring mothers receive comprehensive support as they transition from new motherhood to raising healthy, thriving infants and toddlers. At the same time, we acknowledge that infant formula can be an important supplement or alternative when needed.
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As health officials, we strive to encourage, empower, and provide pragmatic support to mothers, babies, and families on their breastfeeding journey through our initiatives, grants, and educational programs. Breastfeeding benefits both mothers and babies. Given the benefits of breastfeeding, including how it protects babies from infections and lowers their risk of developing conditions such as obesity and diabetes later in life, breastfeeding is the optimal choice for promoting a child’s current and future health. Through HHS’s Healthy Start Program and various grants for state-based resource centers and initiatives, we seek to empower mothers through prenatal and postpartum care, breastfeeding education, and family support services. This includes encouraging employers to provide support for their employees who are breastfeeding. HHS also publishes “Your Guide to Breastfeeding.” Support from our federal agencies, as well as whole communities, is crucial for mothers and babies.
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Breastmilk truly is nature’s perfect food. A mother’s milk is uniquely suited for her baby from the moment of birth and through changing stages of growth and development. It contains the optimal balance of nutrients that babies and infants need, including fat, protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and hormones. Breast milk is gentle enough and contains natural factors that allow vital nutrients to be absorbed into babies’ growing digestive systems, protects the baby from infection while its immune system matures, and is rich enough for optimal physical growth. Human breast milk contains important fats that ensure normal brain growth and development. It passes on a mother’s antibodies and beneficial bacteria, supercharging infants’ immune health and cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurological development.
Breastfed babies are less likely to develop allergies, infections, and chronic conditions, such as asthma and diabetes, compared to infants exclusively fed commercial formula. Additionally, breastfed infants are less likely to be hospitalized and are at a lower risk of sudden infant death syndrome. Further, breastfeeding benefits not only babies but mothers as well. Breastfeeding helps each mother return to her prepregnancy weight and metabolic health. Additionally, it is linked to lower risks of breast and ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure.
The psychological and mental health benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and baby are significant. By allowing prolonged skin-to-skin contact, breastfeeding does wonders for building a healthy attachment and emotional bond between mothers and babies. Breastfeeding increases levels of oxytocin and prolactin, hormones that assist in developing the mother-child bond, decreasing postpartum depression and anxiety, and facilitating babies’ and infants’ emotional growth. Breast milk is the foundation for overall infant health. Medical professional organizations recommend continued breastfeeding as long as both mother and baby desire until two years or beyond, with the introduction of complementary foods at about 6 months to meet increasing nutritional needs.
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As experts observed during the FDA’s recent panel on infant formula and nutrition, there are many ways to support mothers who experience challenges with breastfeeding, such as by supplying better access to pumps, lactation consultants, and donor milk — areas in which we are laser-focused — as well as supplementing with formula when medically necessary. Safe, nutritious, and wholesome options should be available to every mother, child, and family when supplemental or exclusive formula is necessary for the babies’ growth or survival. Every baby deserves safe, affordable nutrition regardless of how they are fed.
Where the science is clear, policy, resources, and programs should follow. Breast milk is the best possible nutrition for growing infants, and we are committed to supporting mothers, babies, and their families in every step of the breastfeeding journey. Breastfeeding should not only be encouraged but celebrated. Mothers and families need practical, tangible, and meaningful support during this critical time of development, bonding, and growth — from everyone they encounter. Every new mother should receive encouragement, practical assistance, lactation support, and feel empowered at home, at work, and by society to prioritize optimal health, wellbeing, and nourishment for herself and her baby.
Sara Brenner, M.D., M.P.H., is principal deputy commissioner at the Food and Drug Administration.
Dorothy Fink, M.D., is acting assistant secretary of health at the Department of Health and Human Services.