More Minnesota Families initiating breastfeeding with WIC participation and support

News Release
Aug. 20, 2026

Contact information

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) is helping more parents initiate breastfeeding, which yields good health for parents and babies, as well as long-term cost savings.

With nearly 40% of infants born in Minnesota receiving WIC benefits, the program’s breastfeeding education efforts provide a real opportunity to help more families get the healthy benefits of breastfeeding. In 2025, 84.5% of parents who participated in WIC before the birth of their child ever breastfed or initiated breastfeeding. Initiation rates for WIC parents have steadily been rising from 40% in 1990, to 62% in 2001 and 81% in 2020. Nationally, the WIC breastfeeding initiation rate is 70%, according to a 2022 U.S. Department of Agriculture report, making Minnesota one of the top states in the country.

“WIC is a strong support program that’s helping parents breastfeed, which benefits both babies and parents,” said Minnesota WIC Director Kate Franken. “We know how important it is for pregnant parents to receive nutrition and breastfeeding education before their baby arrives. That’s why we encourage eligible families to apply for WIC as soon as they find out they’re pregnant. WIC’s breastfeeding support continues long after baby arrives to ensure breastfeeding as long as possible.”

WIC provides breastfeeding education during pregnancy and individualized support throughout the breastfeeding journey. Breastfeeding includes any infant being fed human milk - whether directly from the breast or chest or milk expressed via a pump.

In Minnesota, the overall breastfeeding initiation (ever breastfed) rate for newborns is 91.9%, significantly higher than the U.S. national average of 83.2%. Rates vary by region, demographics and hospital practices. You can review comprehensive tracking data on MDH’s Breastfeeding Among Infants Born in Minnesota webpage.

Research shows that breastfeeding promotes good health and benefits babies and parents.

Healthy for babies:

• Human milk is the best source of nutrition for most babies. It is easy to digest and changes over time to meet baby’s nutritional needs.
• Breastfed babies are healthier and have fewer infections and illnesses.
• Breastfeeding helps your baby’s eyes and brain develop.

Good for parents:

• Breastfeeding has health benefits like lowering the risk of ovarian cancer, breast cancer and osteoporosis.
• Breastfeeding is great for parent-baby bonding.
• Parents can breastfeed anytime and anywhere.

Breastfeeding can also lead to long-term cost savings. Because many families face barriers to breastfeeding, the U.S. spends tens of billions of dollars every year on extra medical care, lost productivity and preventable deaths. The newest research shows the real cost is likely over $100 billion annually, according to the study, The economic cost consequences of suboptimal infant and young child feeding practices: a scoping review.

The Walz-Flanagan administration has supported breastfeeding mothers by expanding the Women’s Economic Security Act. Changes passed in 2021 and 2023 required access to lactation spaces and paid break time for expressing milk at work.  

August is National Breastfeeding Month, and Minnesota Gov. Walz has also proclaimed August as Breastfeeding Awareness Month in Minnesota (PDF). “This is a great time to remind eligible families to take advantage of the lactation and education support WIC provides for pregnant and breastfeeding parents,” said Franken.

Learn more about WIC breastfeeding support: WIC Breastfeeding and You. You can also find help from a WIC peer breastfeeding counselor using Map of WIC Peer Programs.

-MDH-

Media inquiries:
Scott Smith
MDH Communications
651-503-1440
scott.smith@state.mn.us