In the United States, seven out of 10 women breastfeed in the hospital after the baby's birth, but only one-third continue to breastfeed until the baby is six months old.
That's unfortunate, says UC Davis Children's Hospital pediatrician Caroline Chantry, because breastfeeding has proven health benefits for both mothers and babies, even decades later in life.
To help improve awareness about those benefits, Chantry was among the health care professionals who last week took part in the campaign World Breastfeeding Week.
Held Aug. 1-8, the event found hospital nurses, lactation consultants and pediatricians distributing information about breastfeeding to patients who are expecting babies and recognizing new mothers who have chosen to breastfeed.
"Researchers are still discovering the benefits of breastfeeding," said Chantry. She said breastfeeding is known to offer protection to infants from a whole host of problems, including infections of the ear and the respiratory, gastrointestinal and urinary tracts. "Breastfed infants are only half as likely to get sick in the first year of life than formula-fed babies, and when they do, they tend to get milder illnesses."
The advantages extend well beyond infancy, she said. Children who are breastfed as babies are less likely to get certain types of cancers, particularly leukemia, and are less prone to allergies, asthma and obesity. The most surprising research findings show long-term health benefits to mothers as well.
Chantry said, "Women who breastfeed have a lower risk of developing breast cancer, cervical cancer and osteoporosis later in life."
Activities at the Medical Center and Children's Hospital included certificates of appreciation to breastfeeding mothers, education pamphlets for all mothers delivering babies, posters noting "World Breastfeeding Week" throughout the hospital, tent cards in the cafeteria and "Breastfeed for a Healthier Baby" buttons for nursery and obstetrical nurses.
Despite signs that more American women are starting to breastfeed their babies, mothers have a long way to go before they breastfeed as long as recommended by physicians.
The American Academy of Pediatrics advises women to breastfeed exclusively for the baby's first six months and continue to breastfeed through the baby's first year. Thereafter, breastfeeding is advocated as long as desired by baby and mother. The World Health Organization has stronger recommendations: Women are encouraged to breastfeed at least through the baby's second year.
According to WHO, progress has been made in improving infant nutrition during the past two decades, yet more needs to be done to encourage appropriate feeding practices for infants. Worldwide, only 35 percent of all infants are exclusively breastfed from birth to four months of age.
For more about breastfeeding benefits, see the International Lactation Consultant Association site at http://www.ILCA.org.
Janet Dolan is a writer for the UC Davis Health System.