Breastfeeding is catching on.Sixty-five percent of U.S. children aged 19-35 months in 2001 had ever been breastfed; this proportion is significantly higher than the 54% found in 1988-1994 and close to the Healthy People 2010 goal of 75%. (1) Analyses of the latest data show that 27% of infants were still being breastfed at six months, and 12% at 12 months; these rates reflect essentially no change over the decade and are considerably behind the national goals of 50% and 25%, respectively. Breastfeeding prevalence falls most sharply between two and three months after birth (from 54% to 39%), the period when, as the analysts point out, many women return to work. Only about four in 10 black women breastfeed breast·feed or breast-feed v. breast-fed , breast-feed·ing, breast-feeds v.tr. To feed (a baby) mother's milk from the breast; suckle. v.intr. To breastfeed a baby. , compared with seven in 10 white and Hispanic Hispanic Multiculture A person of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central or South American, or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race Social medicine Any of 17 major Latino subcultures, concentrated in California, Texas, Chicago, Miam, NY, and elsewhere women; black women also have the lowest rates of continued breastfeeding at six and 12 months. The analysts consider workplace facilities and policies that accommodate breastfeeding women "essential" to promoting the practice, and they urge health care facilities and providers to take an active role in encouraging breastfeeding. (1.) Li R et al., Prevalence of breastfeeding in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. : the 2001 National Immunization immunization: see immunity; vaccination. Survey, Pediatrics pediatrics (pēdēă`trĭks), branch of medicine dedicated to the attainment of the best physical, emotional, and social health for infants, children, and young people generally. , 2003, 111(5):1198-1201. |
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