Improving the health of mothers and their babies is a primary goal of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity. It makes sense that protecting, promoting, and supporting breastfeeding are some of their key strategies to meet this goal. Breastfeeding has many proven health benefits to both mothers and babies.
The 2013 CDC Breastfeeding Report Card is a compilation of state-by-state information detailing breastfeeding practices and supports in states. The data is compiled “so that public health practitioners in states can monitor progress, celebrate successes, and identify opportunities to inform and work with health professionals, employers, business owners, and community members”.
As the report indicates, the early post-partum period is a critical time for establishing and supporting breastfeeding. In For Our Babies: Ending the Invisible Neglect of America’s Infants, Dr. Lally writes about the importance of providing assistance and guidance to new mothers around breastfeeding. He recommends in-home well baby care for the first two years of a child’s life which includes this type of support to moms. On page 51 of his book, he quotes Bettina Forbes, co-founder of Best for Babes “If every expecting mother were seen by a board certified lactation consultant that can help her set goals appropriate for her situation and work with her to develop a plan to overcome any barriers along the way, breastfeeding rates would skyrocket, and we would all benefit.”
What is your community and or work place doing to protect, promote and support breastfeeding? Share your story with us here! You never know how your success story might inspire others to do something more to support babies and their moms.
Download the full 21013 CDC Breastfeeding Report Card here.
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