Breastfeeding
CDC's Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity (DNPAO) is committed to increasing breastfeeding rates throughout the United States and to promoting and supporting optimal breastfeeding practices toward the ultimate goal of improving the public's health.
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Guidelines & Recommendations
Human milk handling/storage, travel recs, vaccinations, vitamin D, influenza, more -
DATA & STATISTICS
National and state data regarding breastfeeding practices and methods of supports -
PROMOTION & SUPPORT
Examples of society-wide approaches that are used to promote and support breastfeeding -
FAQS
Answers to frequently-asked breastfeeding questions for healthcare providers & families
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DISEASES & CONDITIONS
Information about breastfeeding in the context of specific diseases and conditions -
RESEARCH
Research projects that are underway and relating breastfeeding research to practice -
NATIONAL POLICIES & POSITIONS
Breastfeeding policies, objectives and positions of the U.S., and major health orgs -
RESOURCES & PUBLICATIONS
CDC guides, reports, publications, & links to major breastfeeding organizations' websites
Featured Items
What's New
- Vital Signs: Hospital Support for Breastfeeding
- IFPS II Year 6 Follow-Up – Published Results
- Breastfeeding Report Card, 2016 [PDF - 2.72 MB]
- The CDC Guide to Strategies to Support Breastfeeding Mothers and Babies
Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative
The Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding consist of evidence-based practices that have been shown to increase breastfeeding initiation and duration. Baby-Friendly hospitals and birthing facilities must adhere to the Ten Steps to receive, and retain, a Baby-Friendly designation.
For Mothers
- Need help breastfeeding? U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) website has information on finding breastfeeding support
- La Leche League also has a help line and lots of other information.
- Why breastfeed? Read more about the benefits of human milk and breastfeeding by visiting the DHHS Office on Women's Health Benefits of Breastfeeding page.
- When should you not breastfeed? Rarely will any disease or condition outweigh the benefits of breastfeeding! Find out more on our Diseases and Conditions page.
- Page last reviewed: August 22, 2016
- Page last updated: August 22, 2016
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