More Moms Breastfeeding
More Moms Breastfeeding
CDC Report Card Shows Largest 1-Year Increase in Nursing Rates in 10 Years
Aug. 1, 2012 -- The health benefits of breastfeeding are widely publicized, and it seems that this message is gaining traction. A new breastfeeding report card from the CDC shows that more new moms in the U.S. are choosing to breastfeed their babies.
Just shy of 77% of moms started breastfeeding in 2009, up from 74.6% in 2008. This is the largest one-year increase in breastfeeding rates in 10 years. The number of women who were still breastfeeding at six months increased from 44.3% in 2008 to 47.2% in 2009. And the number of mothers breastfeeding at 12 months out was also on the rise.
The new study provides the most recent data available, but preliminary reports suggest that the breastfeeding rate continues to rise.
Researcher Captain Laurence Grummer-Strawn, PhD, says that things do seem to be moving in the right direction. He is the chief of the nutrition branch in the division of nutrition, physical activity, and obesity at the CDC in Atlanta. But "we are not at all where we need to be," he says. "We don't expect to reach 100%, but certainly we want to be a lot higher than where we are now."
Part of the reason for the increase may be improved support for breastfeeding moms at hospitals. More babies are also being born at "baby-friendly hospitals" that help moms meet their breastfeeding goals.
Breastfeeding can help reduce an infant's risk of ear infections, diarrhea, allergies, obesity, and diabetes. For the mother, breastfeeding helps shed pregnancy weight and may lower her risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer. These are some of the reasons why the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies be exclusively breastfed for about the first six months of life.
Your Guide to Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding rates vary by state, the report card shows.
For example, less than half of moms start breastfeeding in Mississippi. By contrast, more than 90% of moms start breastfeeding in Idaho. Moms are more likely to breastfeed for at least six months in New Hampshire, Utah, Oregon, and Vermont.
More Moms Breastfeeding
CDC Report Card Shows Largest 1-Year Increase in Nursing Rates in 10 Years
Aug. 1, 2012 -- The health benefits of breastfeeding are widely publicized, and it seems that this message is gaining traction. A new breastfeeding report card from the CDC shows that more new moms in the U.S. are choosing to breastfeed their babies.
Just shy of 77% of moms started breastfeeding in 2009, up from 74.6% in 2008. This is the largest one-year increase in breastfeeding rates in 10 years. The number of women who were still breastfeeding at six months increased from 44.3% in 2008 to 47.2% in 2009. And the number of mothers breastfeeding at 12 months out was also on the rise.
The new study provides the most recent data available, but preliminary reports suggest that the breastfeeding rate continues to rise.
Researcher Captain Laurence Grummer-Strawn, PhD, says that things do seem to be moving in the right direction. He is the chief of the nutrition branch in the division of nutrition, physical activity, and obesity at the CDC in Atlanta. But "we are not at all where we need to be," he says. "We don't expect to reach 100%, but certainly we want to be a lot higher than where we are now."
Part of the reason for the increase may be improved support for breastfeeding moms at hospitals. More babies are also being born at "baby-friendly hospitals" that help moms meet their breastfeeding goals.
Breastfeeding can help reduce an infant's risk of ear infections, diarrhea, allergies, obesity, and diabetes. For the mother, breastfeeding helps shed pregnancy weight and may lower her risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer. These are some of the reasons why the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies be exclusively breastfed for about the first six months of life.
Your Guide to Breastfeeding
Report Card: Breastfeeding Rates Vary Widely by State
Breastfeeding rates vary by state, the report card shows.
For example, less than half of moms start breastfeeding in Mississippi. By contrast, more than 90% of moms start breastfeeding in Idaho. Moms are more likely to breastfeed for at least six months in New Hampshire, Utah, Oregon, and Vermont.
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