Jalisco Inaugurates New Lactation Room to Support Breastfeeding

Jalisco’s state government, in collaboration with UNICEF, has inaugurated a new lactation room at the Jalisco Paseo Interactivo (JAPI), reinforcing its commitment to promoting breastfeeding-friendly environments. The initiative is part of a broader effort to ensure that mothers have access to safe, dignified spaces to breastfeed, contributing to the health and well-being of both mothers and their children.

"Today, we are inaugurating one more lactation room, bringing the total to 101 across the state. These spaces are a testament to our commitment to the rights and dignity of mothers and children,” says Joanna Santillán, Coordinator, Voluntariado Jalisco. 

During the event to present the lactation room, three institutions received the Responsible Breastfeeding Distinction: JAPI, the Exhibitions Museum and Gallery of Jalisco, and the Guachimontones Interpretive Center Phil Weigand. This recognition is awarded to workplaces that actively promote and support breastfeeding by providing dedicated spaces for mothers to express and store breast milk. The recognition highlights Jalisco’s pioneering role in advocating for breastfeeding in the workplace. The state is the first in Mexico to implement a program that promotes breastfeeding across various sectors, including public institutions and businesses.

Since the program's inception in January 2024, over 73,000 state employees across the state have been trained on the importance of breastfeeding. "For us, the issue of breastfeeding is very important; it was the first public health policy of this administration because we believe that if we take care of children in the first two years of life, we will be creating a better future for all residents of Jalisco," says Fernando Petersen, Jalisco’s Minister of Health. 

Breastfeeding is crucial for infant health, providing antibodies that shield against illness and death, particularly in emergencies where access to safe, nutritious food is limited. Additionally, it offers long-term benefits for mothers, including a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancers. The hormonal changes from breastfeeding delay menstrual cycles, reducing a woman’s lifetime exposure to hormones like estrogen, reducing the risk of breast cancer, according to the University of Texas.

“Research indicates that breastfeeding lowers the risk of pre- and post-menopausal breast cancer. Extending breastfeeding beyond the recommended six months can provide further protection,” says Lindsey Wohlford, Program Manager for Workforce Wellness, University of Texas.