The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that not even 4% of this country’s hospitals fully support breast feeding, which has been proven to be the most healthy start for babies. Breast feeding lowers the risk of childhood obesity, SIDS, diabetes and many childhood illnesses (respiratory and ear infections) as well as adult conditions. Mothers who breast feed have a lower risk of breast cancer. But despite these facts, nearly 80% of hospitals give formula to newborns, even when there is no medical reason to do so, which deprives the baby of the chance to have the first milk entering his digestive tract to be colostrum. Only a third of hospitals have “rooming in” policies that keeps baby with mother, promoting successful breast feeding. So two thirds of hospitals arbitrarily separate newborn from mother. And only about 25% of hospitals provide follow up visits and phone calls to support the mother breast feeding after discharge. Most hospitals abandon the new family when they leave the hospital, which often occurs before mother’s milk even comes in! As a result only 15% of mothers breast feed exclusively for six months which is the recommendation of the Academy of Pediatrics. They further recommend that breast milk be the main source of nutrition for at least the first year.
Knowing that our medical providers will not be there for you, pregnant mothers wishing to breast feed may want to consider establishing other forms of support after baby is born such as educating themselves, having telephone support from LaLeche League and other successful breast feeding moms.
21Moons 