The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) 2013 report card released yesterday on breastfeeding in the United States shows a significant change has taken place. The number of mothers breastfeeding for the full six month minimum recommended length has risen sharply from just 35 percent in 2000 to just under 55 percent in 2011. It appears that Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, is not the only mother breastfeeding nowadays.
The survey showed significant changes in percentages. The number of mothers who began breastfeeding rose to 77 percent of them beginning the process. The number of babies being breastfed at 12 months has also increased from 16 percent to 27 percent over a 10 year period from 2000-2010.
With those in the medical field realizing that early postpartum period is very crucial in establishing and supporting breastfeeding, they have included two new indicators in their study. These indicators relate to having the mothers breast feed early and the importance of learning the babies cues. The result is that hospitals have recognized the importance of keeping mothers and babies together for that early “skin-to-skin” contact.
According to the CDC report,
“...from 2007 to 2011 the percent of facilities with at least 90% of infants receiving skin-to-skin contact after vaginal birth increased from 40.8% to 54.4%, and the percent of facilities with at least 90% of mothers and babies staying together in the same room throughout the stay increased from 30.8% to 37.1%.”
Western States had the most “rooming-in” of babies and also ranked top in the report for nearly 55 percent of mothers from western states breastfeeding for 6 months or longer.
The importance of professional support for mothers was also looked at in centers around the country. Even Walgreens were hailed for their support of new mothers.
“Well Babies at Walgreens serves and supports the community and is anticipating opening a second location on the east side of Indianapolis in 2013,” according to CDC.gov.
According to NBC news,
“'This is great news for the health of our nation because babies who are breastfed have lower risks of ear and gastrointestinal infections, diabetes and obesity, and mothers who breastfeed have lower risks of breast and ovarian cancers,' said Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Dr. Tom Frieden.”
NBC news also reminded their readers of the benefits of breastfeeding which include lowered risk of obesity, higher intelligence, and lower risk of infections such as ear and gastrointestinal. Also, when a baby only receives breast milk for the first four months, their risk of getting pneumonia drops significantly. They are 72 percent less likely to get severe pneumonia, and the risk gets lower the longer you breastfeed up to a year.
The American Academy of Pediatrics encourages mothers to give their babies only breast milk for the first six months. After six months they recommend the mother continue to breastfeed and give the baby other foods for at least the first year or longer of the baby's life.
So, whether you are one of the CDC's 50 percent of American mothers who see the physical and mental benefits for baby and mom and are breastfeeding your baby, or Kate Middleton, feeding the latest royal heir, Prince George Alexander Louis, you might say breastfeeding is truly “fit for a king”.
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