Not Enough Hospital Support for Breastfeeding, Study Finds

Breastfeeding is an infant's best source of nutrition, and helps to combat childhood obesity, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Breastfeeding also provides the child much-needed antibodies and forges a deep bond between mother and child.

We have almost reached the conclusion of World Breastfeeding Week, though Illinois has proclaimed all of August to be Breastfeeding Awareness Month. It is interesting to note a recent government report which shows that only 4% of hospitals offer a "full range" of breastfeeding support services to new mothers. From Medicinenet.com:

Researchers analyzed data from CDC's national survey of Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care, and found that only 14% of hospitals have a written breastfeeding policy.

In nearly 80% of hospitals, healthy breastfeeding infants are given formula when it is not medically necessary. This practice makes it much more difficult for new mothers and infants to learn how to breastfeed and to continue breastfeeding at home.

Among the other findings:

• Only one-third of hospitals practice "rooming in," in which mothers stay with their newborns 24 hours a day. This helps mothers and newborns learn to breastfeed by giving them frequent opportunities to breastfeed.
• Nearly 75% of hospitals do not provide necessary breastfeeding support to mothers and babies when they leave the hospital. Required support includes a follow-up visit, a phone call from hospital staff and referrals to lactation consultants and breastfeeding support systems in the community.

"Hospitals play a vital role in supporting a mother to be able to breastfeed," CDC director Dr. Thomas R. Frieden said in a CDC news release. "Those first few hours and days that a mom and her baby spend learning to breastfeed are critical. Hospitals need to better support breastfeeding, as this is one of the most important things a mother can do for her newborn. Breastfeeding helps babies grow up healthy and reduces health-care costs."

Low rates of breastfeeding in the United States result in $2.2 billion in additional medical costs per year. Babies who are fed formula and stop breastfeeding early have higher rates of obesity, diabetes, respiratory and ear infections. They also require more doctor visits, hospitalizations and prescriptions, according to the CDC.

It is important to know that there are many hospital-based resources here in Peoria for mothers who would like to learn more about breastfeeding. The OSF hospital provides a Breastfeeding Resource Center on Glen Ave. between University St. and Sheridan Rd., where they offer phone consultations, face-to-face meetings with lactation consultants, equipment, and support groups. Proctor Hospital provides informational classes on breastfeeding. Methodist Hospital also offers breastfeeding classes and consultations at their downtown campus. In addition, a national organization called La Leche League hosts mother-to-mother meetings at the Methodist campus right here in Peoria.