https://ysph.yale.edu/ysph/bfci/news-rss/?orgId=116233&title=Latest+News A selection of the latest research, academic, and other newsworthy developments at Becoming Breastfeeding Friendly en-us Copyright 2026 Yale School of Medicine Sun, 26 Apr 2026 10:38:29 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/new-report-calls-for-national-breastfeeding-strategy/ https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/new-report-calls-for-national-breastfeeding-strategy/ A new report by the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine calls for an evidence-based national strategy to increase breastfeeding rates in the United States. Yale School of Public Health Professor Rafael Pérez-Escamilla, an international expert on breastfeeding, co-authored the NASEM report. Tue, 16 Sep 2025 04:00:00 Z https://19thnews.org/2025/09/government-breastfeeding-paid-parental-leave/ https://19thnews.org/2025/09/government-breastfeeding-paid-parental-leave/ Researchers have been examining ways to increase breastfeeding rates for years. A new report co-authored by YSPH Professor Rafael Perez-Escamilla, an international expert on breastfeeding, urges the federal government to work with states to ensure implementation of existing maternal health programs and to support new ones. Fri, 12 Sep 2025 04:00:00 Z https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landia/article/PIIS2213-8587(25)00140-8/fulltext https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landia/article/PIIS2213-8587(25)00140-8/fulltext Mexico's taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages and junk food are expected to substantially reduce consumption and help address the nation's diabetes crisis. Yet YSPH Professor Rafael Pérez-Escamilla says that taxes alone are insufficient. Without public health education and without clever social marketing campaigns and robust marketing regulation of the food industry, he says, the tax alone is unlikely to achieve more profound decreases in consumption. Fri, 11 Jul 2025 04:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/rafael-perez-escamilla-promoting-active-engagement-in-collaborative-classes/ https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/rafael-perez-escamilla-promoting-active-engagement-in-collaborative-classes/ This Spotlight on Teaching shines on Rafael Pérez-Escamilla, PhD, professor of public health (social and behavioral sciences), and his focus on a “flipped” classroom model. Mon, 13 Jan 2025 05:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/ysph-community-supports-local-agencies-with-gift-basket-raffle/ https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/ysph-community-supports-local-agencies-with-gift-basket-raffle/ The gift basket raffle held during the school's annual Winter Celebration is an innovative way to support local community agencies. Mon, 09 Dec 2024 05:00:00 Z https://www.nature.com/articles/s41587-024-02498-4 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41587-024-02498-4 Meet the biotech startups brewing milk in bioreactors to improve on baby formula. YSPH Professor Rafael Perez-Escamilla has concerns. Thu, 21 Nov 2024 05:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/five-things-infant-formula-companies-dont-want-you-to-know/ https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/five-things-infant-formula-companies-dont-want-you-to-know/ In recognition of National Breastfeeding Month and World Breastfeeding Week, which begins today, Yale School of Public Health Professor Rafael Pérez-Escamilla discusses five key, science-based facts that formula milk companies may not want people to know. Thu, 01 Aug 2024 04:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/2024-top-research-awards-announced/ https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/2024-top-research-awards-announced/ Yale School of Public Health Associate Dean of Research Melinda Irwin announces the recipients of this year’s top research awards. Thu, 23 May 2024 04:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/ysm/yale-medicine-magazine/article/heart-disease-in-women/ https://medicine.yale.edu/ysm/yale-medicine-magazine/article/heart-disease-in-women/ Sex-linked differences are a significant factor in women's heart disease. Wed, 20 Mar 2024 04:00:00 Z https://ctnewsjunkie.com/2024/02/05/food-as-medicine-model-empowering-pregnant-latina-women/ https://ctnewsjunkie.com/2024/02/05/food-as-medicine-model-empowering-pregnant-latina-women/ The Yale School of Public Health and Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center are teaming up with several other organizations to help pregnant Latina women in Hartford improve their health with a trial food-as-medicine program. Mon, 05 Feb 2024 05:00:00 Z https://www.courant.com/2024/01/22/many-ct-students-fail-state-physical-fitness-tests-its-true-in-high-and-low-income-towns/ https://www.courant.com/2024/01/22/many-ct-students-fail-state-physical-fitness-tests-its-true-in-high-and-low-income-towns/ An analysis of assessment data from the Connecticut Department of Education found that physical fitness has declined in public schools across the state, with low-income districts hit hardest. Yale School of Public Health Professors Rafael Pérez-Escamilla and Nicola Hawley provide insights. Mon, 22 Jan 2024 05:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/new-lancet-series-highlights-the-continuing-struggle-that-breastfeeding-women-face-across-the-globe/ https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/new-lancet-series-highlights-the-continuing-struggle-that-breastfeeding-women-face-across-the-globe/ A Lancet Series published on Feb. 8, 2023, highlights the continuing struggle that women across the globe face to meet their breastfeeding goals. Yale School of Public Health Professor Rafael Pérez-Escamilla, a leading authority on breastfeeding policy and early childhood nutrition, is co-author of all three Series articles and the lead author of the first paper featured in the Series. Wed, 08 Feb 2023 04:00:00 Z https://edition.cnn.com/2023/02/07/health/baby-formula-marketing/index.html https://edition.cnn.com/2023/02/07/health/baby-formula-marketing/index.html Less than half of infants around the world are breastfed as recommended, and baby formula is in high demand despite failing to offer the same health and developmental benefits as breast milk, experts say. According to a new report, misleading claims and political influence are to blame. Tue, 07 Feb 2023 04:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/faculty-spotlight-rafael-perez-escamilla/ https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/faculty-spotlight-rafael-perez-escamilla/ Rafael Pérez-Escamilla, Ph.D., is an internationally recognized expert in nutrition during the first 1,000 days of life and a leading authority on breastfeeding and early childhood development. Mon, 19 Sep 2022 04:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/ysph-professor-named-to-newmans-own-foundation-board-of-directors/ https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/ysph-professor-named-to-newmans-own-foundation-board-of-directors/ Yale School of Public Health Professor Rafael Pérez-Escamilla, Ph.D., has been named to the Board of Directors of Newman’s Own Foundation Wed, 12 Jan 2022 04:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/yale-school-of-public-health-partnership-with-mexico-leads-to-new-online-implementation-science-course/ https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/yale-school-of-public-health-partnership-with-mexico-leads-to-new-online-implementation-science-course/ A new YSPH partnership with the National Institute of Public Health in Mexico has led to the launch of an online Spanish language summer course in implementation science for health professionals. Tue, 20 Jul 2021 04:00:00 Z https://publichealth.yale.edu/news-article/30912/ https://publichealth.yale.edu/news-article/30912/ His work has taken him throughout Brazil and lead to many collaborations and partnerships that thrive to this day. Wed, 10 Mar 2021 04:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/data-initiative-seeks-to-improve-early-childhood-development-in-brazil/ https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/data-initiative-seeks-to-improve-early-childhood-development-in-brazil/ An index that evaluates the performance of municipalities for early childhood development was developed through a partnership between researchers from Yale and Brazilian universities. Yale School of Public Health associate researcher Gabriela Buccini explains the partnership project that monitors early childhood development indicators in Brazil. Fri, 04 Dec 2020 04:00:00 Z https://www.biomedcentral.com/collections/equityinbreastfeeding https://www.biomedcentral.com/collections/equityinbreastfeeding Interventions and policy approaches to promote equity in breastfeeding. Call for papers for a special collection in International Journal for Equity in Health. Edited by Rafael Perez-Escamilla and Mireya Vilar-Compte. Providing accessible, high-quality and equitable support for all women who want to breastfeed is a sound social investment. Abstracts are due June 30, 2020. Mon, 08 Jun 2020 04:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/speaking-at-ysph-surgeon-general-urges-caution-calm-in-the-face-of-coronavirus/ https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/speaking-at-ysph-surgeon-general-urges-caution-calm-in-the-face-of-coronavirus/ As a novel coronavirus spreads throughout the world and new infections mount in the United States, U.S. Surgeon General Jerome M. Adams urged people to be cautious, concerned and, of course, prepared. Thu, 05 Mar 2020 04:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/15-faculty-elected-to-connecticut-academy-of-science-and-engineering/ https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/15-faculty-elected-to-connecticut-academy-of-science-and-engineering/ Dr. Rafael Perez-Escamilla is one of the 15 faculty elected to be members of the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering (CASE). Thu, 27 Feb 2020 04:00:00 Z https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/52197 https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/52197 Samoa should develop a national breastfeeding policy and ratify international maternity protections to better support women with newborns, says a public health specialist. The United Nations reports 81 per cent of Samoa’s babies are being breastfed from birth, and seven in 10 are being exclusively breastfed for their first six months, which are results to be commended. But the remaining 19 per cent of babies need to be addressed, and Christina Soti-Ulberg believes both national and international plans could go a long way to improve the situation. Sun, 27 Oct 2019 04:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/why-i-chose-global-health-5/ https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/why-i-chose-global-health-5/ When Rafael Pérez-Escamilla was a chemical engineer in Mexico he observed many people suffering from hunger and malnutrition. Tue, 05 Feb 2019 04:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/new-zealands-train-the-trainers/ https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/new-zealands-train-the-trainers/ The New Zealand Breastfeeding Alliance (NZBA) is responsible for offering Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative(BFHI) and Baby-Friendly Community Initiative (BFCI) Train-the-Trainer three-day workshops. Thu, 14 Jun 2018 04:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/sri-lankas-lactation-management-centers-2/ https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/sri-lankas-lactation-management-centers-2/ Sri Lanka's Lactation Management Centers (LMCs) assist mothers who need breastfeeding support, are funded by the Ministry of Health, and are located in every specialist hospital that provides maternity services and newborn care. Wed, 13 Jun 2018 04:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/new-zealands-diverse-breastfeeding-promotion-campaign/ https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/new-zealands-diverse-breastfeeding-promotion-campaign/ In 2008, the Government of New Zealand funded the Ministry of Health (MoH) to develop and implement a national breastfeeding promotion campaign based on formative research and designed to target groups with disparately low breastfeeding rates such as Māori and Pacific people. Wed, 13 Jun 2018 04:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/philippines-budgetary-steps-and-setbacks/ https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/philippines-budgetary-steps-and-setbacks/ A 2004 WHO assessment on infant and young child feeding (IYCF) in the Philippines found the country was performing poorly on IYCF health indicators, and thus spurred the development of a IYCF National Plan of Action in 2005 and subsequent IYCF Program. Wed, 13 Jun 2018 04:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/reaching-mothers-via-text/ https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/reaching-mothers-via-text/ Text4baby is a free text messaging service with national coverage that delivers timely health information messages to mothers to improve the health of their babies both before and after they are born. Mon, 11 Jun 2018 04:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/social-insurance-in-viet-nam-fully-covers-maternity-leave/ https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/social-insurance-in-viet-nam-fully-covers-maternity-leave/ Viet Nam’s maternity leave is among the longest in Asia– female workers are entitled to 6 months paid maternity leave and entitled to 100% of their salaries funded through compulsory social insurance premiums. Mon, 04 Jun 2018 04:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/malis-maternity-protection/ https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/malis-maternity-protection/ In 2008, Mali became the first African country to ratify the ILO Maternity Protection Convention 2000 (Convention No. 183), which stipulates a minimum of 14 weeks of maternity leave. Mon, 04 Jun 2018 04:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/philippines-senator-serves-as-breastfeeding-champion/ https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/philippines-senator-serves-as-breastfeeding-champion/ Senator Pia Cayetano is an example of a breastfeeding champion who has used her position in the national government to protect, promote, and support Philippine women’s right to breastfeed and defines herself as “a staunch breastfeeding advocate”. Mon, 04 Jun 2018 04:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/public-health-midwives-in-sri-lanka/ https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/public-health-midwives-in-sri-lanka/ A longitudinal study in Sri Lanka on the effect of training public health midwives on exclusive breastfeeding reported a highly significant increase in the percentage of mothers breastfeeding their infants for 6 months, as well as the median duration of exclusive breastfeeding–all for a relatively low cost. Today, Sri Lanka has one of the top breastfeeding outcomes in the world with 99% of children ever-breastfed and 82% breastfed exclusively in the first six months in 2016. Mon, 04 Jun 2018 04:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/perus-continuous-demographic-and-health-survey/ https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/perus-continuous-demographic-and-health-survey/ In Peru, the Continuous Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) provides annual data on the initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding under six months, solid foods introduction, and median breastfeeding duration at the national, urban-rural, and departmental (regional) levels of Peru. Mon, 04 Jun 2018 04:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/viet-nam-fortifies-legislation-1/ https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/viet-nam-fortifies-legislation-1/ In 2006, Viet Nam adopted Decree 21, based on the International Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes and strengthened the legislation in 2014 to limit advertisements of milk products for children over one year of age and for feeding bottles, teats, and dummies. Fri, 01 Jun 2018 04:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/austrias-paid-maternity-leave/ https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/austrias-paid-maternity-leave/ In 2004, the Austrian government ratified the ILO Maternity Protection Convention, 2000 (No. 183). Since then, this legislation has been updated many times with the most recent in 2015 stipulating 16 weeks paid maternity leave. Fri, 01 Jun 2018 04:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/swedens-maternity-and-paternity-leave/ https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/swedens-maternity-and-paternity-leave/ Sweden ranked third in the world for Save the Children’s 15th annual Mother’s Index in 2014 and Sweden’s National Board of Health and Welfare reported that in 2015, 63% of infants were breastfed at 6 months of age. Fri, 01 Jun 2018 04:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/indias-infant-milk-substitutes-act-monitoring-and-enforcement/ https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/indias-infant-milk-substitutes-act-monitoring-and-enforcement/ Suboptimal breastfeeding practices contribute to approximately 12% of deaths among children under five years of age; in India, this contribution is significant as exclusive breastfeeding rates are as low as 35.8% in some Indian states. In 2003, India strengthened their Infant Milk Substitutes (IMS) legislation to ban sponsorship to health care professionals and health organizations by infant formula companies. Violation of the IMS act is a criminal offense and may result in fines and imprisonment. Wed, 30 May 2018 04:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/promotion-of-breastfeeding-on-a-large-scale-with-alive-and-thrives-mass-communication-campaign/ https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/promotion-of-breastfeeding-on-a-large-scale-with-alive-and-thrives-mass-communication-campaign/ From 2009-2014, the Alive Thrive project used mass communication within Ethiopia, Bangladesh, and Viet Nam to rapidly deliver breastfeeding and complementary feeding messages to families with children under two years of age. Evaluations found that 85% of mothers from the targeted areas reported exposure to a message and 66% of those agreed exclusive breastfeeding was the norm compared to 47% of those not exposed. The rates of exclusive breastfeeding tripled to 57% in Viet Nam, and to more than 80% in Ethiopia and Bangladesh in the program areas. Wed, 30 May 2018 04:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/new-zealands-baby-friendly-initiative/ https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/new-zealands-baby-friendly-initiative/ The New Zealand Breastfeeding Alliance (NZBA), established in 1998, is the national authority for the implementation and management of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) and Baby Friendly Community Initiative (BFCI). Maternity services are publicly funded through the Ministry of Health, which sets out BFHI accreditation as a mandatory requirement. The efforts of the NZBA and New Zealand government led to an increase in BFHI accreditation of maternity facilities (0% in 2000 to 96.1% in 2011) and exclusive breastfeeding rates at 3 months of age rose from 30.4% in 2000 to 42% in 2011. Wed, 30 May 2018 04:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/community-health-workers-in-bangladesh/ https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/community-health-workers-in-bangladesh/ Community health workers (CHWs) are the primary healthcare providers the community level in Bangladesh. The Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee, with the support of Alive Thrive, has trained and employs over 100,000 CHWs who bridge the gap between the public healthcare system and the community. They receive training in breastfeeding/infant and young child feeding practices. Wed, 30 May 2018 04:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/maternal-mortality-data-leads-to-free-maternity-services-nationwide-in-kenya-1/ https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/maternal-mortality-data-leads-to-free-maternity-services-nationwide-in-kenya-1/ In 2013, Kenya’s Ministry of Health turned to its health information system to investigate the cause of alarmingly high rates of women dying in childbirth. What they found was a problem with access: more than a third of women were giving birth at home without a skilled health provider due to financial and geographic barriers to accessing health facilities. Fri, 25 May 2018 04:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/brazils-multi-sectorial-national-breastfeeding-committee/ https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/brazils-multi-sectorial-national-breastfeeding-committee/ In 2012 Brazil’s National Breastfeeding Committee was reformulated to include representation from multiple sectors including government, universities, and civil organizations. It is a powerful group that uses evidence to strongly advocate for breastfeeding as a government health priority and support the MoH in their decision making. Fri, 25 May 2018 04:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/alive-and-thrives-national-advocacy-strategies/ https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/alive-and-thrives-national-advocacy-strategies/ To reduce childhood nutrition gaps in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, and Viet Nam, the Alive Thrive initiative designed three comprehensive Infant and Young Child Feeding programs with the aim of developing models that could be scaled up globally. Mon, 14 May 2018 04:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/viet-nams-talking-babies-commercial/ https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/viet-nams-talking-babies-commercial/ Alive Thrive’s successful breastfeeding commercials, “Talking Babies,” illustrate the power of mass media and its ability to be used similarly in other countries. Thu, 01 Mar 2018 04:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/actress-alyssa-milanos-use-of-social-media/ https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/actress-alyssa-milanos-use-of-social-media/ Alyssa Milano, a well-known actress in the US, uses social media to promote breastfeeding and break the stigmatization of public breastfeeding, proclaiming herself a “breastfeeding advocate.” Thu, 01 Mar 2018 04:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/ysph-team-responds-to-opinion-piece-critical-of-breastfeeding/ https://ysph.yale.edu/bfci/news-article/ysph-team-responds-to-opinion-piece-critical-of-breastfeeding/ “Fed Is Best Foundation Says WHO Breastfeeding Guidelines Fail to Meet Human Rights Standards” (October 19, 2017) Fri, 10 Nov 2017 04:00:00 Z