CDC Breastfeeding Report Card 2009
State Ratings and Indicators for Breastfeeding Promotion and Info
Aug 5, 2009
Some states promote the act of breastfeeding and protect breastfeeding mothers and infants more than others, and each state has a different success rate with regards to how many women choose to breastfeed after giving birth. Here are the details and main results of this year's Breastfeeding Report Card.
What is the Breastfeeding Report Card?
This report, based on information collected by the CDC, discusses which states have legal measures in place protecting the rights of breastfeeding women to nurse in public and to pump once they have returned to work, for instance. In addition, it shows data regarding how many women breastfeed in each state and for how long, and whether each state is meeting the general goals set by Healthy People 2010.
The report is designed to collect useful and relevant data in one place for state-to-state comparisons and evaluations of each state's efforts to promote and protect breastfeeding. It is not only for civilians who may be interested in the progress of their own state; it is also helpful for health workers and public agencies to be able to examine the successes and shortcomings of the state and to examine how their efforts might be adjusted and improved so as to meet and surpass breastfeeding goals.
What are the Main Results of the 2009 Breastfeeding Report Card?
- Fifteen states currently have legislation in place requiring employers to offer lactation consultation and support to interested employees.
- All but one state have legislation protecting mothers' right to nurse in public.
- Only ten states have met or exceeded the national Healthy People 2010 goals related to breastfeeding.
- There has been a 35% increase (since 2008) of women giving birth in "Baby Friendly" facilities.
- Utah and Oregon are national leaders in breastfeeding rates, with 9 of every 10 new babies being breastfed.
- Utah, Oregon, Washington, Hawaii, and Vermont each have 33% or more of new mothers breastfeeding for at least 12 months.
Where do States Need to Improve Breastfeeding Promotion for 2010?
- Twenty-two states have not met a single breastfeeding goal set by Healthy People 2010.
- More than 25% of breastfed babies still receive formula before they are two days old.
- Only fourteen states have legislation to protect nursing mothers who wish to continue breastfeeding once they have returned to work.
Breastfeeding Information and Resources
For additional information on the Breastfeeding Report Card and to find out how each state ranked, please visit the CDC site.
To find a Baby Friendly certified hospital or delivery center in your area, please visit the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative website.
For information on the benefits of breastfeeding, please check out the Suite101.com article by Abby Deliz, "Benefits of Breastfeeding."
For information on maternal nutrition during breastfeeding, please check out "Healthy Eating for Breastfeeding Women."
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