National Breastfeeding Month
August 1 - August 31
About National Breastfeeding Month
National Breastfeeding Month takes place every August, running from 1 to 31 August 2026. Organised by the United States Breastfeeding Committee (USBC), the month aims to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding by raising awareness of its benefits and pushing for the policies and support systems that help families feed their babies.
What is National Breastfeeding Month?
National Breastfeeding Month is a nationwide awareness campaign held throughout August in the United States. Coordinated by the USBC, a coalition of organisations working to improve the nation’s health, it brings together advocates, healthcare professionals, employers, and families around a shared goal: making breastfeeding easier and better supported. Each year the campaign adopts a unifying theme and dedicates individual weeks within the month to specific communities and issues, recognising that the barriers to breastfeeding are not the same for everyone.
When is National Breastfeeding Month?
National Breastfeeding Month runs for the whole of August every year, from 1 to 31 August. In 2026 it begins on Saturday, 1 August and ends on Monday, 31 August. The month opens with World Breastfeeding Week, observed globally from 1 to 7 August, before moving through a series of weekly themes set by the USBC.
Why National Breastfeeding Month Matters
The health evidence behind breastfeeding is substantial. The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, with continued breastfeeding alongside other foods for up to two years and beyond. Breastfeeding is linked to lower rates of infection in infants and a reduced risk of certain cancers in mothers. Despite this, many families face real obstacles: a lack of paid leave, limited workplace support, insufficient lactation care, and persistent disparities between communities. National Breastfeeding Month exists to confront those barriers and to make support the norm rather than the exception.
How to Get Involved in National Breastfeeding Month
There are many ways to support the month, whether you are a parent, an employer, or simply an ally:
- Share accurate information – Help counter myths by sharing evidence-based resources from trusted bodies like the USBC and the World Health Organization.
- Support breastfeeding parents you know – Practical help, from meals to childcare, gives nursing parents the time and energy they need in the early weeks.
- Advocate for workplace support – Encourage employers to provide private lactation spaces, break time, and flexible arrangements for nursing parents.
- Champion paid family leave – Adequate leave is one of the biggest factors in whether families can meet their breastfeeding goals, so back policies that protect it.
- Donate to milk banks – Accredited human milk banks supply donor milk to vulnerable and premature babies. Donations of milk, money, or time all help.
- Attend or host an event – Many hospitals, clinics, and community groups run education sessions, support meet-ups, and awareness walks throughout August.
- Thank a lactation professional – International Board Certified Lactation Consultants and peer counsellors provide vital, often under-recognised support to families.
- Normalise public breastfeeding – A supportive, non-judgemental attitude towards feeding in public helps remove one of the most common sources of stress for new parents.
History of National Breastfeeding Month
National Breastfeeding Month was established on 6 August 2011, when the United States Breastfeeding Committee officially declared August as the dedicated month. The choice of August built naturally on World Breastfeeding Week, the global observance held in the first week of August that had already been running since the early 1990s, coordinated by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action.
Since its founding, the USBC has structured the month around weekly themes, each spotlighting a different community or area of focus. These have grown to include observances dedicated to advancing maternal health equity, reducing breastfeeding disparities among communities of colour, and supporting families who face the steepest barriers. The approach reflects a recognition that breastfeeding rates and the support available vary widely across different populations.
Each year the USBC selects a new overarching theme to rally the campaign and provides toolkits, social media resources, and advocacy materials for the many partner organisations that take part. The 2025 theme, “Forward Together”, emphasised collective action and advocacy, and the campaign continues to evolve in step with shifting policy and public health priorities.
Noteworthy Facts About National Breastfeeding Month
- The USBC officially declared August as National Breastfeeding Month on 6 August 2011.
- The month opens with World Breastfeeding Week, observed globally from 1 to 7 August.
- The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of an infant’s life.
- Each week of the month carries its own theme, focusing on different communities and equity issues.
- The campaign is coordinated by the United States Breastfeeding Committee, a coalition of organisations working on maternal and infant health.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National Breastfeeding Month?
It is a month-long awareness campaign held every August in the United States, coordinated by the USBC to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding.
When is National Breastfeeding Month in 2026?
It runs throughout August 2026, from Saturday, 1 August to Monday, 31 August, opening with World Breastfeeding Week from 1 to 7 August.
Who organises National Breastfeeding Month?
The United States Breastfeeding Committee, a coalition of organisations focused on improving the nation’s health through breastfeeding support, coordinates the month and sets its annual theme.
Spread the Word
Help raise awareness by sharing National Breastfeeding Month with your friends, family, and followers. Use the hashtags #NationalBreastfeedingMonth and #NationalBreastfeedingMonth2026 on social media. The more people who understand the support breastfeeding families need, the bigger the impact.
Related Awareness Days
- World Breastfeeding Week – The global observance from 1 to 7 August that opens National Breastfeeding Month.
- Balance Awareness Week – Another health awareness observance promoting understanding and support.
- National Quiet Day – A reminder to make space for rest and wellbeing, something new parents need too.
Links
2026 Awareness Days Wall Planner
Every key awareness day at a glance. Perfect for offices, staff rooms, and team planning.
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