2788Ronald R. Cone, finance Director
•ATTEST:
r
Ronald C. Covey,••
•RESOLUTION NO. 2788
A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING BREASTFEEDING
RECITALS:
1.Human breast milk has just the right amount of fat, sugar, water, and protein that is needed for a
baby's growth and development. Most baby's find it easier to digest breast milk than they do
formula. Breast milk has antibodies in it to help protect infants from bacteria and viruses and to help
infant's fight off infection and disease.
2.Breastfeeding helps a mother bond with her baby. Physical contact is important to newborns and
can help them feel more secure, warm, and comforted. Breastfeeding may also lower risk of breast
and ovarian cancers.
3.The U. S. Surgeon General, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Academy of
Family Physicians recommend that babies be fed with breast milk only, no formula, for the first six
months of life. It is better to breastfeed for six (6) months and best to breastfeed for twelve (12)
months or for as long as a mother and baby wish.
4.Breastfeeding provides the perfect food for infants leading to the best nutritional choice to benefit
health for a life time.
5.The City of Moses Lake sponsors the "Healthy Communities Project", which promotes healthy life
style choices and awareness of the goodness and necessity of physical activity and nutrition for the
best health. The long term goal is to have a healthier citizenry from birth through old age.
6.The City of Moses Lake has chosen breastfeeding awareness and promotion as one of the three
original components of the Healthy Communities Project.
7.It is important that mothers be encouraged and supported in breastfeeding their infants in the City
of Moses Lake in order to give the best start in life for the city's newest citizens.
8.Mothers have a right to breastfeed wherever they go with their baby even if that is out in public.
Various states have adopted legislation to clarify the fact that women have the right to breastfeed
in public or have stated that it is not a criminal offense, such as indecent exposure, to breastfeed.
RESOLVED:
1.The City Council of the City of Moses Lake continues to support the city sponsored "Healthy
Communities Project", which includes the promotion and encouragement of mothers breastfeeding
their infants in order to provide the best start in life for our children and to provide the benefits that
breastfeeding gives our mothers.
2.Recognizing that mothers have a right to breastfeed wherever they go with their baby even if that is
out in public, the City supports a mother's right to breastfeed on public or private property where the
mother and child are otherwise authorized to be, and encourages our citizens to recognize the
benefits of breastfeeding and allow a mother to breastfeed anywhere any other person is allowed
to be.
Adopted by the City Council on August 22, 2006.