Incorporating Breastfeeding Education into the K-12 Curriculum

As the traditional school year comes to an end, I hope teachers are already giving thought to next year’s curriculum. Maybe even a special few are considering how to incorporate breastfeeding education into that curriculum. When I surveyed readers about if and when breastfeeding education should be included in schools, over 50% of voters said such education should begin in the elementary school years. To make it easier for teachers to include the topic of breastfeeding in the curriculum, the New York State Department of Health has developed a Breastfeeding Education Activity Package tailored to grades K through 12! The lesson plan for kindergartners focuses on a theme of “Cats Have Kittens” and includes suggestions for appropriate books, videos, activities, and worksheets. In that way, breastfeeding is incorporated as a part of the studies of Language Arts, Science, Math, Music, and more. The lesson plans for grades 9-12 take a more direct approach to the study of breastfeeding:

Breastfeeding is Best examines cultural attitudes relating to breastfeeding locally, nationally, and on a worldwide basis. Breastfeeding is the “norm” in many countries yet it continually needs to be promoted. There are many factors that can cause a woman to give up on breastfeeding or to avoid the experience altogether.

Lessons 1 and 2 examine disadvantages and advantages of breastfeeding in developing countries. Students are also required to examine personal attitudes as well as those within their own families.

Lessons 3, 4, and 5 recognize that there are many factors that lead a person to choose breastfeeding versus bottlefeeding. Social factors can enhance or inhibit one’s decision to breastfeed, as can the nutritional, health, economic, and political implications of breastfeeding.

Lessons 6 and 7 look at breastfeeding basics such as how do you hold the baby, how do you know you are producing enough milk, how do you eat properly, etc. This final unit promotes a real understanding of the “how-tos” of breastfeeding.

I am so impressed and pleased to see such comprehensive plans available for breastfeeding education in the K-12 years. Teaching children about the benefits of breastfeeding reaps rewards in the health of those future breastfeeding mothers and their breastfed babies.

While I view it as quite natural and beneficial to discuss the topic of breastfeeding, I can imagine there are some who object to that subject in schools. What is your opinion? Leave a comment!