CDC Breastfeeding Report Card

Seventy-seven percent of U.S. babies started breastfeeding in 2010, up from 70% in 2000, according to the latest annual report  from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About half of babies were breastfeeding at six months and 27% at 12 months in 2010, up from 35% and 16%, respectively, in 2000. “This is great news for the health of our nation because babies who are breastfed have lower risks of ear and gastrointestinal infections, diabetes and obesity, and mothers who breastfeed have lower risks of breast and ovarian cancers,” said CDC Director Tom Frieden, M.D. Also on the rise are the proportion of hospitals and birth centers meeting certain “breastfeeding support” indicators for mothers and babies, such as skin-to-skin contact after birth (54%) and rooming together (37%), CDC said. The report includes national and state-level data.

How are you preparing to breastfeed your baby? Northside provides a free on-line introduction to breastfeeding class. Check it and our classes that are led by Certified Lactation Consultants at: 

http://www.northside.com/maternityresources