amitymamaThe Attachment Parenting Community

lilac · 08-20-2004, 11:13 PM

Thought this might interest some~

http://my.webmd.com/content/article/92/101552.htm
Breastfeeding Rates Vary Widely by State

National Average for Breastfeeding at Least 6 Months Is Less Than 15%

By Jennifer Warner
WebMD Medical News Reviewed By Michael Smith, MD
on Thursday, August 05, 2004

Aug. 5, 2004 -- The number of new mothers who start breastfeeding their infants and stick with it for six months or more varies widely from state to state in the U.S., according to a new CDC report.

The study shows the national average for exclusive breastfeeding for six months in 2003 was 14.2%, and only Oregon had an exclusive-breastfeeding rate of more than 25% at six months.

It's the first time the CDC has released state-by-state data on breastfeeding rates.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies be breastfed exclusively -- with no baby formula -- for the first six months of life. To see how your state fared on this recommendation, see the table below.

State
Exclusive Breastfeeding1
at 6 Months

Alabama
11%

Alaska
20%

Arizona
17%

Arkansas
7%

California
16%

Colorado
15%

Connecticut
15%

Delaware
10%

District Of Columbia
13%

Florida
14%

Georgia
14%

Hawaii
21%

Idaho
24%

Illinois
11%

Indiana
12%

Iowa
12%

Kansas
16%

Kentucky
10%

Louisiana
7%

Maine
19%

Maryland
17%

Massachusetts
14%

Michigan
13%

Minnesota
22%

Mississippi
5%

Missouri
12%

Montana
21%

Nebraska
13%

Nevada
12%

New Hampshire
17%

New Jersey
18%

New Mexico
13%

New York
14%

North Carolina
12%

North Dakota
16%

Ohio
15%

Oklahoma
9%

Oregon
27%

Pennsylvania
13%

Rhode Island
13%

South Carolina
14%

South Dakota
15%

Tennessee
12%

Texas
12%

Utah
22%

Vermont
24%

Virginia
16%

Washington
21%

West Virginia
7%

Wisconsin
16%

Wyoming
13%

1Exclusive breastfeeding is defined in this study as only breastmilk and water - no solids or other liquids.

Source: 2003 National Immunization Survey, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services

"With this new information, state health departments can compare the breastfeeding rates in their states and communities with national objectives," says Donna Stroup, PhD, acting director of the CDC's Coordinating Center for Health Promotion, in a news release. "The information will help agencies concentrate their efforts where they are most needed and develop targeted programs to promote breastfeeding."

Breastfeeding by State

The information in the report was gathered from the CDC's 2003 National Immunization Survey which surveyed mothers in 50 states, the District of Columbia, and selected geographic regions within the states.

According to the survey, only six states -- Hawaii, Idaho, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, and Washington -- met all of the following Healthy People 2010 objectives for breastfeeding:

75% of new mothers initiate breastfeeding.
50% continued to breastfeed for at least six months.
25% continued to breastfeed for at least 12 months.

Fourteen states met the first objective of having at least 75% of new mothers initiate breastfeeding. The top five states in this category were Oregon (88%), Washington (88%), Utah (85.5%), Idaho (83.8%), and California (83.7%).

Eight states met the second goal of having 25% or more of mothers continuing to breastfeed for at least 12 months. The top states in this category were Hawaii (31%), Vermont (30%), and Alaska (28.9%).

Researchers also found that lower-income mothers and non-Hispanic black mothers had consistently lower rates of breastfeeding compared with others.

Breastfeeding Benefits Mother and Baby

"It's important for new and expectant mothers to know that breast milk is the ideal food for newborns and young babies. It's inexpensive, convenient, and it's uniquely tailored to meet all of a baby's nutritional needs for the first six months of life," says William Dietz, MD, director of CDC's division of nutrition and physical activity, in the release. "Also, breastfed babies tend to gain less unnecessary weight that can contribute to overweight and obesity later in life."

Researchers say breast milk contains valuable antibodies that can protect infants from infection. Babies who are breastfed also have less frequent diarrhea and fewer ear infections and respiratory infections.

Mothers who breastfeed also burn more calories, which makes it easier for them to return to their pre-pregnancy weight. Research also shows women who breastfeed have lower rates of certain breast and ovarian cancers.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SOURCES: News release, CDC. American Academy of Pediatrics.

Mandy C-W · 08-20-2004, 11:49 PM

Great info. Thank you for sharing it. It is sad that more women don't stick with breastfeeding. I can say thought when you don't have a support network or you aren't totally determined to breastfeed, breastfeeding is a hard road to travel. It amazes me how many people I talk to who don't even know what the La Leche League is. I wish I would have had more help the first time around. I was in a small town where none of the nurses in the hosp. could even show me how to bf. My situation was more complicated than just problems nursing. I was determined to bf the second time around. We weaned at 18 mos. I miss being close to her now. Both of them are getting so big and busy with other things.

-Mandy

momufactured · 08-20-2004, 11:55 PM

Great info! I'd say it also varys widely within a state! Our local bf'ing rates are abyssmal! Lower that what it shows in the survey by a long shot. I know our local WIC clinic did a survey and it was around 10% at 6 mos locally, but the chart above shows 21% for the state.

It makes me sad

~Denise~ · 08-21-2004, 01:05 AM

Go Oregon.

Selissa · 08-21-2004, 09:31 AM

wow i can't belive those numbers are so low..jsut makes me sad. i don't get it but thanks Julie!

treehuggerz · 08-30-2004, 04:25 AM

The information below was given to me by the local WIC office. They are wonderfully supportive and well educated on breastfeeding. I've learned online that all WIC offices are NOT created equal. YEA, Oregon!!!

Marvel aka treehuggerz

*************************************************
…As reported by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - see website: <http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/NIS_data/index.htm>

Higher breastfeeding rates are associated with certain socioeconomic factors, such as age, race/ethnicity, education, income, and these favorable demographics are more prevalent in the West.

Still, why does Oregon lead the list, even in the West?

It is probably a combination of things.

(1) Typically, lower income populations breastfeed at much lower rate compared with higher income populations. However, the Oregon WIC program has exceptionally high breastfeeding rates, which help “push up” the overall state rates. In fact, Oregon has one of the smallest gaps in breastfeeding rates between the general population and the WIC population. Oregon WIC provides breastfeeding encouragement, education and support to all participating pregnant and postpartum women. Furthermore, Oregon WIC was one of the first state programs in the nation to provide high quality electric breast pumps to mothers who are returning to work or school.

(2) Oregon has the highest number of “Baby Friendly Hospitals” per capita in the country. (California has more hospitals with this designation, but fewer per capita.) See more information on the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative at <http://home.onemain.com/~ct1008688/hospital.htm>

(3) Oregon has had a Breastfeeding Mother Friendly Employer project since 1998. The State of Oregon officially recognizes employers who make accommodations for mothers who return to work and want to continue breastfeeding. More info at www.healthoregon.org/bf <http://www.healthoregon.org/bf>

(4) Senate Bill 744, signed into law in 1999, made Oregon one of the first states to pass legislation that affirms a woman’s right to breastfeed her child in public.

quidnunc · 08-30-2004, 10:19 AM

I don't know how it is in other states but here a mom can only stay home for 6 monnths after a baby if she's on public assistance. It's also like pulling teeth to get an electric breastpump from WIC so they're not much help.
It's sad that so many people have to (or FEEL they have to) go to formula feeding so early in their baby's life. Sure, it's an okay sub but it'll never quite compare.