It is recommended that mothers exclusively breastfeeding (only breast milk) for the first 6 months after birth and continue to breastfeed as solid food is introduced to her baby. Mothers should continue to breastfeed as long as she and baby desire. It is normal around the world to breastfeed past 1 year, baby continues to get the protective properties of breast milk.

NEW YORK STATE BREASTFEEDING STATISTICS

The Healthy People Goals for 2020 have been announced.  They can be found at this link. www.healthypeople.gov

Breastfeeding goals for 2020 are:

Increase the proportion of infants who are breastfed, Ever: 81.9%, At 6 months: 60.5%, At one year: 34.1%, Exclusively through 3 months: 44.3%, Exclusively through 6 months: 23.7%,

Increase the proportion of employers that have worksite lactation support programs: 38%

Reduce the proportion of breastfed newborns who receive formula supplementation within the first 2 days of life:  15.6% (NYS-33.2%)

Increase the proportion of live births that occur in facilities that provide recommended care for lactating mothers and their babies:  8.1% (NYS-2.47%)

To learn how New York State compares with other states and the nation visit:

http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/data/reportcard.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/data/reportcard2.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/data/reportcard3.htm

To learn more about the Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care from the CDC, see the report:  mPINC NYS

The NYS Department of Health is making available the breastfeeding rates for each hospital. You can find these rates at:

 www.health.state.ny.us/statistics/facilities/hospital/maternity/

Babies Are Born to Breastfeed

Breastfeeding is the normal way to feed infants. Breast milk provides all of the necessary ingredients for babies. These ingredients cannot be manufactured or reproduced. Breast milk will change as baby grows always ensuring the right amounts of the right components.

Breastfeeding is not just about breast milk. Breastfeeding your infant creates a bond with your child that will last a lifetime. This closeness is a biological response between mother and baby.

Holding baby “skin to skin” helps baby breastfeed and helps mother and baby bond. Hold baby “skin to skin” immediately after birth. Babies held “skin to skin” especially infants born early thrive with better outcomes.

Learn more about “skin to skin” by visiting the links listed below:

Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition has information in a handout format. http://massbfc.org/providers/SkinToSkin.pdf

The concept of skin to skin comes primarily from Dr. Nils Bergman. See his work, Kangaroo Mothercare, at this website: http://www.kangaroomothercare.com/

The risks of not breastfeeding are well documented. When babies are not breastfed they are at a higher risk for:

• Ear infections
• Stomach viruses
• Diarrhea
• Respiratory infections
• Atopic dermatitis
• Asthma
• Obesity
• Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
• Childhood leukemia
• Sudden infant death syndrome or SIDS
• Necrotizing enterocolitis, a disease that affects the gastrointestinal tract in pre-term infants

Mothers who do not breastfeed are at a higher risk for certain illnesses such as:

• Type 2 diabetes
• Breast cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Postpartum depression (PPD)

The longer a mother breastfeeds her infant and exclusively for the first 6 months (introducing solid foods at 6 months), the less risk she and her baby are for these conditions and illnesses.

The following tips will help make a mother’s breastfeeding experience a successful one:

• Breastfeed soon after birth (within an hour)
• Do not feed your baby formula (unless determined necessary by doctor)
• Let everyone know in the hospital that you plan to breastfeed without formula
• Hold your baby “skin to skin”
• Do not give your baby a pacifier or bottle
• Keep your baby close while in the hospital - ask for your baby to room-in with you.
• Watch your baby for hunger cues. Do not feed on a predetermined schedule
• Ask for help

Our friends in the Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition developed a guide for mothers: http://massbfc.org/parents/milk-long.html

When the flu strikes, continue to breastfeed and try to breastfeed more. The special protection breast milk provides will help guard against the flu. Learn more by visiting the Centers for Disease Control and Protection (CDC): http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/infantfeeding.htm?s_cid=h1n1Flu_outbreak_154

When a disaster (such as a hurricane or power outage) strikes, it is important to breastfeed. Breastfeeding boosts immunity, provides optimal nutrition, comfort and security, is calming, and does not rely on clean water.
To view a webstream conference featuring Dr. Ruth Lawrence, Dr. Audrey Naylor and hosted by Dr. Mary Applegate from the SUNY at Albany’s School of Public Health visit its website:  http://www.albany.edu/sph/coned/bfgr/bfgr09.htm

Milk Banks

 Milk banks collect human milk from donors who are screened for infectious diseases.  The milk collected is pasteurized.  Oversight is provided by the Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA), www.hmbana.org.  A list of milk banks in North America can be found on the site.  Plans are made to open a bank in New England, www.milkbankne.org

NYS is one of a couple states with milk bank regulations found at this link: www.wadsworth.org/labcert/regaffairs/clinical/part52.pdf

To learn more about milk banks visit:  www.massbfc.org/faq/faqmilkbank.html

GOING BACK TO WORK WHILE CONTINUING TO BREASTFEED

In NYS, Mothers have the right to have her employer make reasonable accommodations for her to express breast milk at the workplace. Some tips for successfully returning to work:

• Return to work gradually
• Get a pump that works and learn how to manually express your breast milk
• Identify a place to express your milk
• Determine when you will need to express your milk, make a schedule
• Learn how to safely store your breast milk

For materials to help return to work see the link below. http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/government-in-action/business-case-for-breastfeeding/

Breastfeeding Policies for the Military:  

To learn more about breastfeeding and the armed services visit: www.breastfeedingincombatboots.com

For helpful resources click here:  Breastfeeding information sheet

Military Breastfeeding policies, click here:  Military policies

Learn more about breastfeeding by visiting the links listed below:

The United States Breastfeeding Committee’s website has many of its publications available at:

http://www.usbreastfeeding.org/AboutUs/PublicationsPositionStatements/tabid/70/Default.aspx

Women’s Health website was developed to assist women with many health issues and has dedicated much of the site for breastfeeding mothers. There are many resources found here:
http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/index.cfm

The New York State WIC Program developed this website to help mothers learn more about breastfeeding. The site is helpful for peer counselors who assist mothers.
www.breastfeedingpartners.org

Breastfeeding.com has a wealth of information from a wide variety of resources.
http://www.breastfeeding.com/

Amy Spangler’s site has up to date information on breastfeeding and parenting. Visitors are welcome to comment and ask questions. http://www.babygooroo.com/