Breastfeeding

Resources and Publications

The CDC Guide To Breastfeeding Interventions
The CDC Guide To Breastfeeding Interventions provides state and local community members information to choose the breastfeeding intervention strategy that best meets their needs. Support for breastfeeding is needed in many different arenas, including worksites, medical systems, and family settings.

Does Breastfeeding Reduce the Risk of Pediatric Overweight? Research to Practice [PDF-1.3Mb]
The health of American children is being threatened by overweight and the conditions that may stem from this problem, such as elevated serum lipid and insulin concentrations, elevated blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and psychosocial problems. This Research to Practice (R2P) brief explores the relationship between breastfeeding and pediatric overweight.

Bibliography

Bibliography of published breastfeeding articles co-authored by CDC staff.

Recent MMWRs, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports

For more see MMWR.

Vital Signs: Hospital Practices to Support Breastfeeding – United States, 2007 and 2009
MMWR, August 5, 2011/60(30); 1020-1025

Racial and Ethnic Differences in Breastfeeding Initiation and Duration, by State – National Immunization Survey, United States, 2004 – 2008
MMWR, March 26, 2010/59(11); 327-334

Breastfeeding-Related Maternity Practices at Hospitals and Birth Centers – United States, 2007
MMWR, June 13, 2008 / 57(23);621—625
Also available in print-friendly format [PDF-1.67Mb]

Breastfeeding Trends and Updated National Health Objectives for Exclusive Breastfeeding—United States, Birth Years 2000–2004
MMWR, August 3, 2007 / 56(30);760-763
Although steady progress is being made toward achieving the Healthy People 2010 (HP2010) breastfeeding objectives for initiation and duration, rates of exclusive breastfeeding are far below desired levels.

Additional Resources

International Lactation Consultants Association
Certified Lactation Consultants have successfully passed the rigorous credentialing examination administered by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE). Visit IBLC-certified Lactation Consultants for a national registry of consultants, ordered by state. Or contact a local affiliate of the International Lactation Consultants Association.

La Leche League International
Provides helpful information and mother-to-mother support through La Leche League's network of lay leaders and professional experts. In addition to attending local meetings, any new mother may call a local leader for assistance, contact a national breastfeeding hotline, E-mail the national office for help, search LLLI's database of research articles, visit the Ask the Experts columns, or join an on-line computer chat for answers to her breastfeeding questions.

HHS Office on Women's Health (OWH)

Breastfeeding Helpline
The Breastfeeding Helpline is an information and referral service open to nursing mothers as well as their partners, families, prospective parents, health professionals and institutions seeking to better educate new mothers about the benefits of breastfeeding. The Helpline operates Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Eastern Time.
Breastfeeding-related education programs, media campaigns, and services
The Office on Women's Health (OWH) continues to partner with other agencies and organizations to focus attention on the importance of breastfeeding.

United States Breastfeeding Committee (USBC)
The mission of the USBC is to improve the nation's health by working collaboratively to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding. Its vision is as follows:

In order to achieve optimal health, enhance child development, promote knowledgeable and effective parenting, support women in breastfeeding, and make optimal use of resources, we envision breastfeeding as the norm for infant and child feeding throughout the nation.

Visit USBC for issue papers and position statements.

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Breastfeeding Promotion Consortium (BPC)
Cosponsored by the USDA/Food and Nutrition Service and the Department of Health and Human Services, the Breastfeeding Promotion Consortium includes more than 25 organizations representing health professional associations, breastfeeding advocacy groups and federal agencies. The Consortium meets twice a year to exchange ideas on how the federal government and private health interests can work together to promote breastfeeding throughout society.
Breastfeeding-related Programs and Services
WIC serves low-income pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women, and infants and children up to age 5 who are at nutrition risk.
USDA Economic Research Service
The Economic Benefits of Breastfeeding: A Review and Analysis reviews breastfeeding trends and previous studies that assessed the economic benefits of breastfeeding.

World Health Organization
Presents world-wide nutrition-related topics including: