Breast-feeding rates continue to rise

The breast-feeding rates for 6-month-olds have increased from 2000 to 2010, according to the CDC.

“This is great news for the health of our nation because babies who are breast-fed have lower risks of ear and gastrointestinal infections, diabetes and obesity, and mother who breast-feed have lower risks of breast and ovarian cancers,” CDC Director Tom Frieden, MD, MPH, said in a press release. “Also, breast-feeding lowers health care costs. Researchers have calculated that $2.2 billion in yearly medical costs could be saved if breast-feeding recommendations were met. It is critical that we continue working to improve hospital, community and workplace support for breast-feeding mothers and babies and realize these cost savings.”

Tom Frieden

According to the release, 35% of babies were breast-feeding at 6 months, jumping to 49% in 2010. Breast-feeding at 12 months also increased, from 16% to 27%, during the same period. In 2000, 71% of babies started breast-feeding compared with 77% in 2010.

CDC also said the number of hospitals implementing key maternal practices keeping mothers and babies together after birth has also increased.

“The period right after a baby is born is a critical time for establishing breast-feeding,” said Janet L. Collins, PhD, director of CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity. “Rooming in and skin-to-skin contact help ensure that mothers and babies stay together and are able to start and continue breast-feeding. These are meaningful steps hospitals can take to support mothers and families and help improve breast-feeding rates.”