Did you know the first week in August is known as World Breastfeeding Week? Take some time this week to learn about the benefits of breastfeeding and what you can do to support breastfeeding as a key component to sustainable development.  

Breastfeeding is one of the most important contributors to infant health and provides a range of benefits for the infant’s growth, immunity, and development. In addition, breastfeeding contributes economic benefits to the family, health care system, and workplace and improves maternal health (e.g., faster weight loss, reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancers). 

According to the website, the World Breastfeeding Week 2016 theme “Breastfeeding: A Key to Sustainable Development” emphasizes how breastfeeding is a key element in getting us to think about how to value our wellbeing from the start of life, how to respect each other and care for the world we share. 

Last year, TRICARE revised its breast pump policy to ensure that mothers with a desire to breastfeed have the pump, pump supplies, and lactation counseling to be successful. TRICARE expanded coverage to a standard or manual breast pump and pump supplies at no cost for new mothers, including mothers who have adopted. The intent of this policy was to allow beneficiaries to purchase a standard breast pump of their choice as prescribed by their TRICARE-authorized provider. 

You can read about upcoming changes for the military regarding maternity leave, child care and lactation rooms in the Secretary of Defense’s Force of the Future Report.  

For more information and materials about World Breastfeeding Week, visit their website. You can also find information on TRICARE’s breast pump policy on the TRICARE website.