Wellness Unmasked Weekly Rundown: Why Are Breastfeeding Rates Declining in the U.S.?

Summary

The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show: Wellness Unmasked Weekly Rundown

Episode Title: Why Are Breastfeeding Rates Declining in the U.S.?
Date: September 12, 2025
Host: Dr. Nicole Saphier (guest hosting for Wellness Unmasked segment)
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts

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Brief Overview

This episode of the "Wellness Unmasked" weekly rundown, hosted by Dr. Nicole Saphier, focuses on the troubling decline of breastfeeding rates in the United States. Motivated by a recent off-camera conversation with the late Charlie Kirk—who expressed deep respect for his wife's breastfeeding efforts—the episode takes a heartfelt and evidence-backed look at why so many American mothers stop breastfeeding earlier than recommended, the health benefits of breastfeeding for both babies and mothers, and what changes can help support mothers to breastfeed longer.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

Remembering Charlie Kirk and the Impetus for the Episode

• [03:00] Dr. Saphier begins by paying tribute to Charlie Kirk and his legacy, emphasizing his roles in faith, family, and advocacy.
• Personal anecdote: Charlie's private curiosity and respect for breastfeeding, inspired by his wife, led to a meaningful discussion with Dr. Saphier—which serves as the launchpad for this episode.

Breastfeeding Statistics in the U.S.

• [04:10] "In the United States, about 83% of mothers start breastfeeding once the baby is born. But by six months, only about half of them are still breastfeeding at all. By one year, that number drops below 35%." — Dr. Nicole Saphier
• Contrasts with European nations: Over half of babies there are breastfed at one year, showing a substantial gap.

Why Breastfeeding Matters

• [04:45] Emphasis on science-backed benefits:
  • For babies: Reduced risk of infections, SIDS, asthma, obesity, type 2 diabetes, stronger immune system, better brain development.
  • For mothers: Lowered risk of breast and ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes, postpartum depression, aids in baby weight loss.
• [05:15] "It's one of the most powerful natural preventative medicines we have. Yet it's underutilized." — Dr. Saphier

Why Are Breastfeeding Rates Declining?

• [05:35] Dr. Saphier discusses systemic barriers:
  • Inadequate workplace policies for breaks and breastfeeding spaces.
  • Hospitals lacking lactational support.
  • Cultural taboos and societal discomfort.
  • Aggressive formula industry marketing falsely equating formula to breast milk.
  • [06:00] "The reality is that's not true at all." — Dr. Saphier disputing formula industry claims.

Solutions and Support for Breastfeeding Mothers

• [06:20] Concrete ideas for change:
  • Normalize breastfeeding in public, work, and home spaces.
  • Standardize private, clean spaces, and break times in workplaces.
  • Enhanced lactation support in hospitals: lactational consultants, skin-to-skin, rooming-in after birth.
  • Pediatricians promoting resources, not shaming, and asking about barriers.
  • Emotional support from partners and family is crucial.
  • [07:05] "It's nourishment. It's not shameful. It's just a boob, okay? Get used to it. It's fine." — Dr. Saphier on destigmatizing public breastfeeding.
  • [07:46] "Whatever the work is, I'm pretty certain it can wait 15 minutes." — On prioritizing breast-pumping breaks.

Emotional Realities of Breastfeeding

• [07:28] Acknowledgment of difficulty:
  • "Breastfeeding is hard. And anybody who says it's not, they're lying or they forgot. Maybe they have PTSD because of how hard it actually was." — Dr. Saphier

Concluding Message and Call to Action

• [07:56] Tying back to Charlie Kirk's values: If we value children, we must value and support mothers—breastfeeding support being a powerful, simple way to demonstrate that.
• Encouragement to continue conversations (even those not typically spoken of publicly by advocates like Charlie).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote/Highlight | |-----------|---------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:25 | Dr. Nicole Saphier | "He talked to me about breastfeeding... I love breastfeeding and what it does for our children and for our moms." | | 04:10 | Dr. Nicole Saphier | "In the United States, about 83% of mothers start breastfeeding once the baby is born. But by six months, only about half of them are still breastfeeding at all. By one year, that number drops below 35%." | | 05:15 | Dr. Nicole Saphier | "It's one of the most powerful natural preventative medicines we have. Yet it's underutilized." | | 07:05 | Dr. Nicole Saphier | "It's nourishment. It's not shameful. It's just a boob, okay? Get used to it. It's fine." | | 07:28 | Dr. Nicole Saphier | "Breastfeeding is hard. And anybody who says it's not, they're lying or they forgot. Maybe they have PTSD because of how hard it actually was." | | 07:46 | Dr. Nicole Saphier | "Whatever the work is, I'm pretty certain it can wait 15 minutes." | | 07:56 | Dr. Nicole Saphier | "If we truly value children, we have to value the mothers. And supporting breastfeeding is one of the simplest, most effective ways to do just that." |

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 03:00 – Tribute to Charlie Kirk and personal story launching the topic.
• 04:10 – U.S. breastfeeding statistics and decline over the first year.
• 04:45 – Health benefits of breastfeeding for babies and mothers.
• 05:35 – Systemic, workplace, and cultural barriers to breastfeeding.
• 06:20 – Actionable solutions: normalizing, work/life policies, hospital changes, provider roles.
• 07:05 – 07:46 – Quotes on destigmatization and practical advice for support.
• 07:56 – Closing call for greater societal support for breastfeeding in honor of Charlie Kirk's values.

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Summary Tone and Delivery

Dr. Nicole Saphier speaks with warmth, conviction, and grounded expertise, using both personal experience and clear scientific data. The discussion acknowledges the realities and difficulties of breastfeeding, while advocating for cultural, medical, and policy changes to better support mothers. The emotional core of the episode is the tribute to Charlie Kirk and the reminder that supporting breastfeeding is central to valuing both mothers and children.

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For anyone who hasn't listened, this episode is an accessible, passionate primer on the issue of declining breastfeeding in the U.S., packed with actionable ideas and memorable, relatable moments.

Transcript

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[Dr. Nicole Safire]

Welcome back to Wellness unmass. I'm Dr. Nicole Safire. And before we begin this weekly rundown, I want to pause and acknowledge a friend, Charlie Kirk, and his tragic death this week. Charlie's legacy is not going to fade. He leaves behind an entire generation ready to fight for faith, family, freedom and country. And his voice will continue to echo through the young leaders he inspired, ensuring his work was not in vain. And now, while most people knew him for his conviction and passion for political work, I can tell you off camera, he was just as passionate. I saw Charlie this last month when he was here in New York City guest hosting for Fox and Friends. While we didn't have any on camera conversations, I can tell you our off camera conversation was incredible. He talked to me about breastfeeding. Now, anybody who knows me knows that I love talking about breastfeeding because I'm a huge supporter of it. I've had three children. I breastfed all of them for a year. I love breastfeeding and what it does for our children and for our moms. And it makes me so sad and concerned to see the declining breastfeeding rates. Charlie knows this and that's why he brought it to my attention. He was in such awe and had such respect for his wife and the natural ability that she had breastfeeding their two young children. And he asked me about the declining rates and we started talking about things we can do. So in his honor, I decided we are going to shed light today on the issue of breastfeeding here in the United States. So let's start with the reality. In the United States, about 83% of mothers start breastfeeding once the baby is born. But by six months, only about half of them are still breastfeeding at all. By one year, that number drops below 35%. And now compare that to many European nations where over half of babies are breastfed at one year. There's an obvious gap. So why does this matter? Well, the science is clear. For babies, breastfeeding reduces the risk of infections. Sudden infant death syndrome, also known as SIDS, asthma, obesity, even type 2 diabetes later in life. It strengthens their immune system. It also promotes brain development. But breastfeeding is not just for babies. For mothers, breastfeeding lowers the risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes, postpartum depression, and it also helps them lose baby weight loss. It's one of the most powerful natural preventative medicines we have. Yet it's underutilized. So the question becomes, why do our rates lag and what can we do to support mothers better? Some barriers are obvious. Workplace policies that don't allow time or space to pump, hospitals that don't provide adequate lactational support, and cultural messages that sometimes discourage breastfeeding altogether. You have the whole formula industry that essentially puts out all of these ads that says, you know, our formula is just as good as breast milk. The reality is that's that's not true at all. And an RFK junior is reformulating kind of how the FDA looks at formula. It's not just about the contents of the breast milk. There's so much more involved to breastfeeding. So here are a few things that we can do. We have to normalize it, okay? Whether it's at public, at work, or at home, breastfeeding should not be considered taboo. It's nourishment. It's not shameful. It's just a boob, okay? Get used to it. It's fine. Moms also, when they go to work, need private, clean spaces, reasonable break times to pump. This should be standard, not the exceptions. Moms shouldn't feel guilty because they take 15 minutes to go pump milk for their baby. Okay? Whatever the work is, I'm pretty certain it can wait 15 minutes. Hospitals, when the moms are having their babies, they can prioritize lactation consultation, skin to skin contact right after birth, and rooming and pract. Pediatricians should also be reinforcing these messages and connecting moms to resources. Don't shame the moms about breastfeeding, but ask them what the barriers are, why they aren't able to breastfeed. See if you can help them. And by the way, sometimes the biggest help is a spouse, a grandparent, or a friend just saying, you're doing a good job. Keep going. This emotional support matters just as much as logistical support. Breastfeeding is hard. And anybody who says it's not, they're lying or they forgot. Maybe they have PTSD because of how hard it actually was. Breastfeeding is so hard, but it's so good for the mom. It's so good for the baby. Charlie and I both believe that if we truly value children, we have to value the mothers. And supporting breastfeeding is one of the simplest, most effective ways to do just that. And as we remember Charlie this week, I hope we also commit to carrying forward some of his messages, whether you heard about them online or breastfeeding. 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