Breast-feeding at an all time high
Categories: Newborns, Just for moms, Babies, Pregnancy & birth, In the news
According to a new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, new moms who do not breast-feed are now in the minority. The report released yesterday reveals that 77 percent of newborn babies are breast-fed, at least for a little while. This is up from 60% for the period 1993-1994.
The numbers are based on in-person interviews and physical examinations of 434 mothers and infants during 2005 and 2006. Breaking down the numbers by race, the most significant rise in breast-feeding rates were found in black mothers, who historically have had lower than average numbers. During that 1993-1994 period, only 36 percent of African-American babies were breast-fed. That number has now risen to 65 percent.
"It was very impressive that when it comes to beginning to breast-feed, African-American women have had the greatest progress," says U.S. Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher.
For Mexican-American mothers, 80 percent now report breast-feeding their babies - up from 67 percent. For white moms, the numbers rose from 62 percent to 79 percent. The lowest rates for breast-feeding were found in unmarried, poor, rural and young mothers under 20 who have a high school education or less.
Experts attribute the rising numbers of breast-feeding moms to education campaigns and a changing culture that is more accepting and accommodating of nursing mothers.
The numbers are based on in-person interviews and physical examinations of 434 mothers and infants during 2005 and 2006. Breaking down the numbers by race, the most significant rise in breast-feeding rates were found in black mothers, who historically have had lower than average numbers. During that 1993-1994 period, only 36 percent of African-American babies were breast-fed. That number has now risen to 65 percent.
"It was very impressive that when it comes to beginning to breast-feed, African-American women have had the greatest progress," says U.S. Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher.
For Mexican-American mothers, 80 percent now report breast-feeding their babies - up from 67 percent. For white moms, the numbers rose from 62 percent to 79 percent. The lowest rates for breast-feeding were found in unmarried, poor, rural and young mothers under 20 who have a high school education or less.
Experts attribute the rising numbers of breast-feeding moms to education campaigns and a changing culture that is more accepting and accommodating of nursing mothers.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Heather 5-01-2008 @ 5:27PM
Experts attribute the rising numbers of breast-feeding moms to education campaigns and a changing culture that is more accepting and accommodating of nursing mothers.
Ok has anyone ever thought most people can't afford $25 plus for a can of formula?
Glad to hear more women are breastfeeding though!
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ame s 5-01-2008 @ 5:45PM
I found breastfeeding so much more convenient. My second daughter decided she preferred a bottle during her night time feeding when she was 6 months old. It may have had something to do with the fact that she could bite and tug on the bottle nipple without my annoying squeals of pain. She liked her formula at room temp, so I kept a bottle of water & the formula powder pre-measured and sitting on her dresser. It was harder to mix that bottle while only partially awake than to pull up my nightgown. Sigh! I miss the baby days!
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