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Tulare County proclaims August 2025 National Breastfeeding Month
Summary
Board members presented and signed a proclamation recognizing August 2025 as National Breastfeeding Month and highlighted WIC and other county public-health supports.
The Tulare County Board of Supervisors recognized August 2025 as National Breastfeeding Month and presented a proclamation emphasizing the county’s support for breastfeeding through public-health programs.
Dr. Tariq, identified in the meeting as the county health officer, introduced the proclamation and noted the public-health benefits of breastfeeding, including improved infant health and long-term disease risk reduction. Sarah Smith, Tulare County WIC manager, said hospital breastfeeding initiation rates in the county are around 90 percent but that exclusive breastfeeding among Tulare County WIC participants had been historically low (about 11–12 percent). Smith reported that through peer support, lactation consultations, education and enhanced food packages, the WIC program’s exclusive-breastfeeding rate increased to an average of 19 percent in 2025.
The proclamation cites the county’s Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program, Maternal Child Adolescent Health (MCAH) and the Nurse Family Partnership for supporting breastfeeding and encourages policies and workplace accommodations that promote lactation support. The proclamation was presented and signed by the board; Dr. Tariq invited public-health staff and WIC team members to join for a photo at the dais.
Supervisors and staff commended WIC and public-health outreach and the board thanked program staff for their work supporting families.
