ST. JOHNSBURY, VT – August 1, 2026 – In recognition of World Breastfeeding Month, Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital (NVRH) joins healthcare organizations and community partners across the globe in raising awareness about the benefits of breastfeeding and promoting education, compassionate support, and informed infant feeding choices for all families throughout the Northeast Kingdom.
Observed each August, World Breastfeeding Month highlights the importance of creating supportive environments that help families meet their infant feeding goals.
“We know breastmilk provides important health benefits that extend far beyond infancy,” says NVRH RN and Lactation Consultant Carol Moore-Whitney. “Babies who are fed breastmilk have lower risks of many common childhood illnesses, while mothers who breastfeed benefit from a reduced risk of several chronic diseases, including breast and ovarian cancers. At NVRH, we’re committed to providing families with the tools and information they need to make feeding decisions that are right for them.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, breastfeeding rates continue to improve nationwide, with more than 86% of infants receiving breast milk after birth and many families continuing breastfeeding well into their baby’s first year. These encouraging trends highlight the value of education, support, and access to skilled lactation services. According to Vermont birth certificate data, the NVRH breastfeeding rate is 94%.
Preparing families before birth
At the NVRH Birth Center, families receive individualized support before, during, and after birth to help them meet their feeding goals. During pregnancy, families are encouraged to discuss their feeding goals with their healthcare team and create a plan that reflects their values and circumstances. The NVRH Birth Center team and Lactation Services are available to help parents prepare for their new baby, learn about feeding, and ask questions in a supportive environment. By providing evidence-based education and personalized guidance, NVRH helps families make informed decisions and feel confident as they welcome their new baby.
NVRH is a certified Baby-Friendly™ hospital, reflecting the hospital’s commitment to evidence-based maternity care that supports optimal feeding support for all families. These standards are based on the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, a set of evidence-based practices recommended by WHO and UNICEF for optimal newborn feeding support.
A new partnership provides donor human milk to babies in need
The NVRH Birth Center’s commitment to compassionate, evidence-based lactation support has recently expanded through a partnership with Mother’s Milk Bank Northeast (MMBNE), strengthening the hospital’s ability to provide donor human milk for eligible newborns. Donor milk can be an important option when babies need additional supplementation or when the mother’s own milk isn’t available. Through its partnership with MMBNE, NVRH has direct access to donor milk from carefully screened donors that undergoes extensive testing, pasteurization, and quality assurance measures before being distributed for infant use.
“This partnership strengthens our ability to offer donor human milk when it is appropriate while continuing to support families in meeting their individual feeding goals,” says Moore-Whitney. It’s an important step in expanding access to donor human milk and strengthening infant feeding support services throughout the region.”
Setting families up for breastfeeding success
At NVRH, breastfeeding support extends beyond the hospital stay. The hospital works closely with pediatric practices and community partners including Home Health and WIC to connect parents with ongoing lactation support and encourages families to seek assistance whenever questions or challenges arise.
Throughout World Breastfeeding Month, NVRH will continue to share educational information and resources highlighting the importance of breastfeeding support, maternal and infant health, and the role communities play in helping families thrive.