Mississippi currently has a bill that passed the Senate and is before the House of Representatives (SB2070). This bill provides the following provisions: 1. Require all hospitals with birthing facilities to have a written infant feeding policy that supports breastfeeding, in which all relevant staff must be sufficiently trained, 2. Require maternal health care facilities to display a copy of "Breastfeeding in Mississippi: Guidelines," which outlines the basic benefits of breastfeeding as well as the rights of a breastfeeding mother, 3. Authorize the State Department of Health to develop a resource guide and education materials to inform employers about the value of supporting breastfeeding employees in the workplace. Representative Sam C. Mims, V, is the Chair of the House of Representatives Public Health and Human Services Committee and responsible for the committee reviewing SB 2070. Representative Toby Barker is the author of a similar bill that was on the House of Representatives side and is an important supporter of SB2070. We urge you to sign your support, especially if you are from Adams, Amite, Franklin, Pike, Forrest, or Lamar Counties (the counties these two elected officials represent).   Please give your name and location (city, state), whether you are a breastfeeding mother, the support system of a breastfeeding mother, an employer who knows the benefits of allowing nursing mothers to reach their full potential in the workforce, or a concerned citizen. Breast milk provides the ideal nutrition to promote infant development and the health benefits of the practice are unparalleled. Infants that are breastfed have a significantly lower risk of developing respiratory issues, certain forms of cancer, diabetes, SIDS, and of becoming obese, as well as many other health conditions. Breastfeeding also provides significant benefits to mothers, including reducing their risk of developing breast, uterine, and ovarian cancer, and diabetes. The United States Surgeon General estimates that the average family can save between $1,200.00-$1,500.00 during a baby's first year of life through breastfeeding. The United States as a whole would save $13 billion per year and prevent an excess of 900 deaths if 90% of US families could meet recommendations to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months. Despite these benefits, Mississippi has some of the lowest breastfeeding rates in the country (currently 47th). Promoting breastfeeding is an extremely low-cost (often no-cost) public health strategy that directly addresses many of our state’s chronic and costly health concerns, such as obesity, diabetes and infant mortality, and would save our state millions in unnecessary healthcare costs. Supporting breastfeeding employees is also a value for businesses. This can be documented through the retention of experienced employees, reduction in sick time taken by both moms and dads for children's illnesses, and lower health care and insurance costs. It is important to note that 54% of the civilian labor force in Mississippi is female and Mississippi has one of the highest rates of women returning to work after childbirth, with 71% of mothers with young children in Mississippi in the labor force. In order for a mother to continue working and adequately provide breastmilk to her infant she must have the time and space to pump and store breastmilk in a private and sanitary location. Together, we stand in support of SB 2070 and acknowledge the importance of increasing breastfeeding rates in Mississippi as an essential public health strategy for our state! Send a letter or make a phone call to the following two men's offices: Sam C. Mims, V (District 97) Toby Barker (District 102) Mississippi House of Representatives Mississippi Public Health and Human Service House of Representatives Committee