Breastfeeding duration rates for infants born in an inner-city WHO/UNICEF baby-friendly hospitalMay 15, 2007A new study in the May issue of the Journal of Human Lactation reports that being born in a Baby-Friendly hospital gives babies the best possible chance of breastfeeding to 6 months. This is particularly true for low-income populations and for families from backgrounds that traditionally have low breastfeeding rates. The American Academy of Pediatrics, the World Health Organization (WHO), and other respected groups recommend that babies breastfeed exclusively until six months of age. The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative was established by WHO and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to help the participating hospitals become centers of breastfeeding support. The research published by SAGE in the Journal of Human Lactation, for the International Lactation Consultant Association, studied breastfeeding rates among babies who were born in an inner-city US Baby-Friendly hospital. They looked at the factors influencing a mother's decision to begin to breastfeed while in the hospital and what influenced whether that baby was still being nursed at six months old. The study found that the rates of breastfeeding at six months was decreased for families with public insurance or if there was an early feeding problem. And although other studies have concluded that demographics usually factor into poor breastfeeding duration rates in low-income, black populations, this study found that those mothers who gave birth in a Baby-Friendly hospital breastfed at rates comparable to the overall US population, suggesting that the Baby-Friendly initiatives were positively affecting the health of those babies. "Interventions to improve breastfeeding rates at 6 months should include postpartum breastfeeding support and education," summarized the authors, Anne Merewood, MPH, IBCLC, Birva Patel, BS, MA, Kimberly Niles Newton, MPH, Lindsay P. MacAuley, MPH, Laura Beth Chamberlain, BA, IBCLC, Patricia Francisco, and Supriya D. Mehta, MHS, PhD, in the article's conclusion. "Further research is needed to determine the effect of Baby-Friendly status on breastfeeding duration in US hospitals serving alternative populations." SAGE Publications |
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| Related Breastfeeding Current Events and Breastfeeding News Articles Air pollution increases infants' risk of bronchiolitis Infants who are exposed to higher levels of air pollution are at increased risk for bronchiolitis, according to a new study. American Dietetic Association Releases Updated Position Paper Promoting and Supporting Breastfeeding The American Dietetic Association has released an updated position paper on breastfeeding that details health benefits for both infants and mothers and encourages promotion of breastfeeding whenever possible. Changes in brain chemicals mark shifts in infant learning When do you first leave the nest? Early in development infants of many species experience important transitions-such as learning when to leave the protective presence of their mother to start exploring the wider world. Maternal HIV-1 treatment protects against transmission to newborns Mothers receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) to treat HIV-1 infection are less likely than untreated mothers to transmit the virus to their newborns through breastfeeding. Breast milk should be drunk at the same time of day that it is expressed The levels of the components in breast milk change every 24 hours in response to the needs of the baby. A new study published in the journal Nutritional Neuroscience shows, for example, how this milk could help newborn babies to sleep. Supplementing babies' formula with DHA boosts cognitive development Research has shown that children who were breast fed as infants have superior cognitive skills compared to those fed infant formula, and it's thought that this is due to an essential fatty acid in breast milk called docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Health experts offer action steps local governments can use to cut childhood obesity rates Zoning restrictions on fast-food restaurants near schools and playgrounds, community policing to improve safety around public recreational sites, requirements that publicly run after-school programs limit video game and TV time, and taxes on high-calorie, low-nutrient foods and drinks are some of the strategies local government officials can use to tackle the childhood obesity epidemic in their communities. Mother's immune system may block fetal treatments for blood diseases Pediatric researchers have resolved an apparent contradiction in the field of prenatal cell transplantation- a medical approach that holds future promise in correcting sickle cell disease and other serious congenital blood disorders. Essential nutrient found in eggs may help lower risk of neural tube defects Research published online in the journal Epidemiology found that higher levels of total blood choline are associated with a 2.5-fold reduction in risk for neural tube birth defects (NTDs). New research reveals mothers need infant feeding information A systematic literature review of mothers' experiences with bottle-feeding found that while mothers recognize the benefits of breastfeeding, those who bottle-feed with infant formula do not receive adequate information and support from their healthcare providers and thus, ultimately put their baby's health at risk. More Breastfeeding Current Events and Breastfeeding News Articles |
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