Introduction
| CDC is committed to increasing breastfeeding rates throughout the United States and to promoting optimal breastfeeding practices as a means of improving the public’s health. In order to achieve this goal, CDC is carrying out epidemiologic research and monitoring, as well as providing program funding and ongoing technical assistance in support of breastfeeding mothers, their families, communities, employers, and health care providers. |
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Breastfeeding: Ideal for Infants
Both babies and mothers gain many benefits from breastfeeding. Breast
milk is easy to digest and contains antibodies that can protect infants
from bacterial and viral infections. Research indicates that women who
breastfeed may have lower rates of certain breast and ovarian cancers.
Read more about the benefits of human milk and breastfeeding by visiting The DHHS Office on Women's Health, Benefits of Breastfeeding.
Featured Items
Does Breastfeeding Reduce the Risk of Pediatric Overweight?
(PDF-1.3Mb)
The health of American children is being threatened by overweight
and the conditions that may stem from this problem, such as elevated
serum lipid and insulin concentrations, elevated blood pressure,
type 2 diabetes, and psychosocial problems. This Research to
Practice (R2P) brief explores the relationship between breastfeeding
and pediatric overweight.
In addition to the practitioner’s scientific review, newborn infant
Crib Cards are being offered, that can be used by hospitals for
recording newborn’s vital information and help parents make this
important infant feeding decision at the pertinent time.
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Crib Card for Boys(PDF-800k)
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Crib Card for Girls
(PDF-816k)
Breastfeeding, Maternal & Infant Health Outcomes
| The CDC Guide To Breastfeeding Interventions provides state and local community members information to choose the breastfeeding intervention strategy that best meets their needs. |
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When should a mother avoid breastfeeding?
HHS Blueprint for Action on Breastfeeding
(PDF-468k)
Please note: Some of these publications are available for download only as *.pdf files. These files require Adobe Acrobat Reader in order to be viewed. Please review the information on downloading and using Acrobat Reader software.
* Links to non-Federal organizations found at this site are provided solely as a service to our users. These links do not constitute an endorsement of these organizations or their programs by CDC or the Federal Government, and none should be inferred. CDC is not responsible for the content of the individual organization Web pages found at these links.
Page last updated: September 6, 2007
Content Source: Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion