Introduction

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.

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.

Featured Items

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)
Research has shown that what happens in the hospital or birth center plays a crucial role in establishing breastfeeding and helping mothers to continue breastfeeding after leaving the birth facility. This study of nearly 2,700 birth facilities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico asked birth facilities about their practices and policies in caring for women who choose to breastfeed their newborns.
Results of the study show that many US birth facilities are using maternity practices that are not evidence-based and that can be detrimental to breastfeeding. By identifying and changing maternity practices so they are supportive of breastfeeding, birth facilities have the opportunity to help families meet their breastfeeding goals, help improve breastfeeding initiation and duration, and to improve maternal and child health outcomes throughout the US.

CDC Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care (mPINC) Survey
In 2007, CDC administered the first national survey of maternity care practices related to breastfeeding, known as the Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care (mPINC) Survey to all facilities in the US and Territories that routinely provide this care.

Other CDC Resources for Improving Maternity Care Practices

Breastfeeding Report Card – 2007
Maternity Care Practices (PDF-156k)
- Crib Card for Boys (PDF-805k)
- Crib Card for Girls (PDF-825k)

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.

Breastfeeding, Maternal & Infant Health Outcomes

Statistics on Breastfeeding Practices in the U.S. — Results from the National Immunization Survey (NIS), available August 2007

The CDC Guide To Breastfeeding Interventions provides state and local community members information to choose the breastfeeding intervention strategy that best meets their needs.

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 reviewed: June 16, 2008
Page last updated: June 16, 2008
Content Source: Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

	Breastfeeding Information for Families
	•	Breastfeeding Hotline
		The DHHS Office on Women’s Health
	•	Breastfeeding for Parents*
		La Leche League International
	•	One-on-One Consultation*
		The International Lactation Consultant Association

Introduction

For Mothers

Featured Items

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