Breastfeeding

woman breastfeeding a baby CDC is committed to increasing breastfeeding rates throughout the United States and to promoting and supporting optimal breastfeeding practices toward the ultimate goal of improving the public's health.

In order to achieve these goals, CDC utilizes an evidence-based policy and environmental approach to breastfeeding protection, promotion, and support. CDC's breastfeeding activities cover a wide range, from conducting and supporting research about breastfeeding to evaluating and sharing information about existing strategies to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding. CDC also works closely with partners and organizations working to improve breastfeeding across the country.

Topics

Featured Items

2009 Breastfeeding Report Card
Provides information for each state on key breastfeeding indicators, showing where each state has been successful and where more work is needed to improve breastfeeding practices. Report Card Outcome Indicators directly track the Healthy People 2010 breastfeeding objectives. Outcomes are estimated using data from the annual CDC National Immunization Survey (NIS).

The CDC Guide To Breastfeeding Interventions
The CDC Guide To Breastfeeding Interventions provides state and local community members information to choose the breastfeeding intervention strategy that best meets their needs. Support for breastfeeding is needed in many different arenas, including worksites, medical systems, and family settings.

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.

Resources for Improving Maternity Care Practices

The Hospital's Role in Breastfeeding Support
- Breastfeeding-Related Maternity Practices at Hospitals and Birth Centers – United States, 2007
  MMWR, June 13, 2008 / 57(23);621—625
  Also available in print-friendly format [PDF-1.67Mb]
- CDC Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care (mPINC) Survey
CDC Guide to Breastfeeding Interventions: Maternity Care Practices [PDF-156k]
Hospital Crib Card
- For Boys [PDF-805k]
- For Girls [PDF-825k]
Breastfeeding, Maternal & Infant Health Outcomes
HHS Blueprint for Action on Breastfeeding

For Mothers

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.

Need help breastfeeding? U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has a breastfeeding helpline. La Leche League also has a help line and lots of other information.
Why breastfeed? Read more about the benefits of human milk and breastfeeding by visiting The DHHS Office on Women's Health, Benefits of Breastfeeding.
When should you not breastfeed? Rarely will any disease or condition outweigh the benefits of breastfeeding! Find out more on our diseases and conditions page.