Right from the Start
How Texas Hospitals Can Champion Change in Breastfeeding Outcomes
The short and long-term health benefits breastfeeding offers mothers and babies are clear. Getting off to the right start in the earliest hours and days while in the hospital is critical to successful breastfeeding.
Over 80% of Texas women start breastfeeding their baby after birth but many are unable to meet their personal breastfeeding goals or reach the medical recommendation to feed only breast milk through the first six months of life.
The goal of the Right from the Start (RFTS) Breastfeeding Awareness Campaign is to improve infant health outcomes through improved breastfeeding policy and practices in Texas’ birthing hospitals using the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding (Ten Steps) strategy.
Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 185 recognizes breastfeeding “must be encouraged in the interests of maternal and child health.” Health care and communities can help Texas families have better health
- Right from the Start!
Image Source: © Texas Health and Human Services
Texas Lactation Support Hotline
24 Hours a Day / 7 Days a week
1-855-550-6667
Breastfeeding help and support for families and health care providers.
Learn more by selecting the toolkits below.
| Outreach Partner Guide |
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English (PDF) |
| Staff Toolkit | Leadership Toolkit |
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English (PDF) Print-Ready (PDF) |
English (PDF) Print-Ready (PDF) |
Help connect moms to the support they need. Add your community breastfeeding support services to the Texas Lactation Support Directory!
For questions on DSHS infant health and safety (IHS) initiatives, email InfantHealth@dshs.texas.gov. Stay updated on infant health and safety topics, including breastfeeding, worksite lactation support, and safe infant sleep, sign up for updates.