Hot on HuffPost Parents:
Teen Who Died During Her First Solo Drive May Have Been Texting
Stacy Stafford: All I Had Was a Problem and a Laptop, But I Won the…
Hispanic Women Breast-Feed Longer Than White and Black Women, Study Finds
Filed under: In The News
Culture might play a role in breast-feeding rates. Credit: Getty Images
The state-by-state analysis of racial and ethnic differences found that in the East, Hispanics breast-feed more than other women. In some Western states, white women had higher rates, according to the report released Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"There seemed to be an East-West breakdown," said the CDC's Cria Perrine, one of the authors of the study.
The reason for the continental divide is not clear. One leading theory has to do with adapting to a new culture.
Past studies have shown that the longer Hispanic immigrants are in the U.S., the more accepting they are of using baby formula. They also tend to adopt worse eating habits and lifestyles for themselves.
"Their health actually begins to decline," said Maeve Howett, a lactation expert at the Emory University School of Nursing who was not involved in the study.
Other potential explanations for the East-West findings could include differences in hospital practices or in state laws that make it easier to breast-feed at work, said Perrine, an epidemiologist.
Breast-feeding benefits both mothers and their babies, health officials say. Breast milk contains antibodies that can protect newborns from infections, and studies have found breast-fed babies are less likely to become overweight than infants who are fed with formula.
The study was based on telephone interviews of about 100,000 women with a child between 19 and 36 months. The interviews were done over a span of five years, through 2008.
Overall, about 73 percent of U.S. moms said they breast-fed their babies, though many give it up after a few weeks or months.
That figure is so high that Howett said it was hard to believe. About 40 years ago, less than a quarter of moms breast-fed, she said. Some women in the new study may have lied out of fear they wouldn't be seen as good mothers, Howett said.
According to the CDC study, Hispanic women continue to breast-feed the most, with more than 80 percent initiating breast-feeding right after birth and 45 percent continuing at least six months later.
But the new analysis finds that white women have a much higher rate in Alaska, Colorado and New Mexico, and a slightly higher rate in California, Oregon and about a half-dozen other Western states.
The study echoed earlier research that generally found lower breast-feeding rates in younger women, low-income women and those with less education. It also repeated findings that breast-feeding rates are lowest in black women.
State figures revealed some variation from place to place. The gap between black women and other groups was far more dramatic in the South. In three states - Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi - the percentage of women who tried breast-feeding was 35 percent or lower, less than half the national average.
The highest breast-feeding rate was for white women in the District of Columbia. About 97 percent said they initiated breast-feeding, and 80 percent continued it for at least six months.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
Your<span>Voice</span>
Ask Us Anything About Parenting
TheTalkies:RelatedVideos
-
The Issue of Public Breast Feeding
Daddy Brad and Daddy Clay tackle the baby nursing issue. How do you feel about women breast feeding in public? Is it okay for moms to breast feed their baby in front of others? What percentage of people are comfortable with mothers breastfeeding in public?
-
The Affects of Breast Feeding on Women's Sexual Function
Dr. Susan E Sklar discusses if breast feeding can impact a woman's sexual function.
-
The Safety of Thyroid Medications When Breast Feeding
Dr. Lazarus shares the risks for breast feeding for women on thyroid medications.
-
Research Finds Long Term Breast Feeding Hurts Mother's Pockets
In this edition of EmpowHER's "HER Week In Health" they say time is money and in this week's edition we'll learn how that couldn't be more true for women trying to breastfeed their children long-term. We'll also learn why women are choosing career over husbands and that U.S. cholesterol rates may be on the decline, but women's cholesterol is still higher than men's.
SitesWeLove
- Site Map
- |
- Staff
- |
- Terms of Service
- |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Trademarks
- |
- Advertise With Us
- |
- About Our Ads
- |
- AOL Downloads
- |
- Contact Us
- |
© Copyright 2012 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Aol Family
ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
3-31-2010 @ 1:48AM
Hillary said...I breastfeed my daughter to her second birthday and that is alot longer than any hispanic woman i know.I also think formula is disgusting and gross and will never feed it to my child.
Reply
4-01-2010 @ 3:16AM
adri said...Women like you Hillary are the reason that formula feeding moms like me detest holier than thou breastfeeders. Formula is not gross or disgusting. It provides nourishment to a baby who is not breastfeed, period. Grow up please and stop being condescending. As far as the topic is concerned, I am hispanic and I did try to breastfeed with both my children but had problems so I stopped. No regrets here because my children are extremely healthy which is all that matters.
4-05-2010 @ 10:08PM
Susan said...I am Latina and still breastfeed my 2 yo. Oh I work outside the home too. You must not know many Latinas.
4-05-2010 @ 8:24PM
Lynn said...I am a Southern white woman and I nursed my son for one year, six-months exclusively and then part-time when I went back to work at six months. It was a really wonderful experience for me, but I don't think women should be made to feel guilty whatever their feeding choice is. Breastfeeding takes serious nutritional commitment on the part of the mother. I'm really glad I made that choice for my child.
Reply
4-05-2010 @ 11:09PM
Jackie said...Not all women were lucky enough to breast feed. I wasn't, I delivered my twins way too early and barely had enough colostrum to provide. So I had no choice but to turn to formula. I don't think its fair to catergorize all of us who don't breast feed.
Reply
4-06-2010 @ 2:40AM
Courtney said...I nurse my 3 year old and he is self weaning. I'm white and I live in NY and I'm shocked by how very few women nurse in my area, regardless of whether they are white, Hispanic, or otherwise. And to nurse a baby beyond 6 months is seen as indulgent here. To go beyond a year is thought to be for mother's sake only (you're trying to keep your child a baby because you can't 'let go'). I've had doctors tell me breastmilk has no value after one year despite the World Health Organization recommending children be nursed until AT LEAST 2 years of age and despite their claim being patently false. I wish more mothers breastfed for the health (both physical and emotional) of the baby and themselves. The benefits are outstanding. KellyMom dot com is a great site for additional information for those who wish to educate themselves on the subject. I am proud to extend nurse my son and he is the happiest, healthiest, and most confident little boy I've ever encountered. I am truly blessed to be able to offer him such a gift and to enjoy the special bond that the nursing relationship provides us. I applaud those who breastfeed since there is such a double standard in this country ('nurse or you're a bad mom, but be sure you can also work full time to pay the bills AND if you nurse in public you better cover that stuff up because no one wants to see it - but note the nudity you see on tv and movies, aimed at arousing men, is totally fine'...what a load of bull).
Reply
7-07-2010 @ 2:24AM
Melanie said...I am a southern African-American (Black) woman, and I am yet nursing my 2 1/2 year old son. My pediatrician & gynecologist state that is acceptable to breast feed a child up to five years of age. They state that most brain development occurs within the first five years of life; thus, to breast feed up to that time is sensible.
However, they also stated that he will evetually wean himself. So, I gladly await for that time.
Nonetheless, there is an increasing trend for African-American women to breast feed. Many are pumping their breast milk on lunch breaks for storage and later feedings. Also, many may nurse in the morinings and at bedtime. And, some combine breasting and formula feeding.
In addition, almost half of the women I attended lamaze class (all Black) with stated they would breast feed. Many may use the above mentioned styles of breast feeding; nonetheless, that baby will receive some breast milk.
So, I question as to whether the survey included alternate styles of breast feeding?
Reply