The month of August is recognized as Breastfeeding Awareness Month in Ohio, and the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department is pleased to celebrate this important month with multiple community events.
Research indicates that breastfeeding significantly impacts the rate of diseases in both mothers and infants. In 2019, the CDC reported Ohio’s breastfeeding initiation rate was 79.5%, ranking the state 41st for breastfeeding across the US. In 2023, 86% of Lucas County infants were breastfed at least once, up from 64.6% in 2018, and outpacing the 2021 Ohio rate of 74% and 2021 US rate of 82%.
Karim Baroudi, Health Commissioner, says “Breastfeeding has been shown to lower the risk of infections, diseases, and overall infant mortality rates. When breastfeeding is encouraged and supported, society benefits from having healthier mothers, babies, and children.”

The Toledo-Lucas County Health Department is excited to promote breastfeeding during August:

Breastfeeding Shower
August 8 @ 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Lagrange Branch Library, 3422 Lagrange St, Toledo, OH

The Big Latch On
August 20 @ 9:30 am
Franklin Park Mall, 5001 Monroe St, Toledo, OH

You can find details about these and other upcoming events on the calendar section of our website.

TLCHD is an OhioHealth Mothers’ Milk Bank drop-off location, accepting donated breastmilk since 2021. Donors must be screened and approved before donating.

The health department encourages and supports working moms by providing a comfortable and secluded space for all Lucas County employees to pump breastmilk during their workday. TLCHD also works with local employers to establish similar spaces to support employees who are breastfeeding.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, and continued breastfeeding (while mutually desired by mother and baby) with the addition of appropriate solid food for the first two years.