Call for improved military policy to support breastfeeding among U.S. armed forces

Abstract

Human milk saves lives, reduces health care costs, and improves the health of both mother and infant. For a small investment to support breastfeeding among active-duty women, the payoff for the U.S. military would be significant: retention of loyal and welltrained service personnel, improved health of women, and a reduction in Tricare costs. Providing breastfeeding support can help the U.S. armed forces retain valued servicewomen after childbirth. A model policy to support breastfeeding women would include on-site lactation support services and peer support, suitable areas available for milk expression and storage, reasonable break time, and a leave policy that incentivizes breastfeeding.

Promoting Military Women's Health Policy Development through the Lens of the Social Ecological Model for Military Women's Health

“…For example, the American Academy of Family Physicians explicitly encourages the education of military commanders, supervisors, and peers on the benefits of breastfeeding and how to support maintenance of breastfeeding (American Academy of Family Physicians Breastfeeding Advisory Committee, 2014). The American Academy of Nursing released a position paper in 2017 specifically calling for military policies that support breastfeeding (Drake, Cadwell, & Dodgson, 2017).…”