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CDC Report Highlights Increase in Number of Mothers Opting to Breastfeed

by Kathy Jones on Feb 8 2013 9:30 PM

 CDC Report Highlights Increase in Number of Mothers Opting to Breastfeed
A new report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveals that the number of mothers who opt for breastfeeding has increased in the US but added that more needs to be done to support them.
According to the report, the number of mothers who breast-fed their infants rose to 74.6 percent in 2008, compared to 70.3 percent in 2000. More importantly, the number of mothers who continued to breast feed their babies until they are six months old rose from 34.5 percent to 44.4 percent.

However the report added that while the overall rate of breast feeding rose in the country, African American babies were still less likely to be breast fed compared to other ethnic groups though the number did increase to 58.9 percent, up from 47.4 percent.

“Although the gap between black and white breast-feeding initiation narrowed, black infants still had the lowest prevalence of breast-feeding initiation and duration, highlighting the need for targeted interventions in this population to promote and support breast-feeding”, the report said.

Source-Medindia


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