More Virginia Mothers Choose to Breastfeed

More and more Virginia mothers have learned the benefits breastfeeding affords them and their babies. According to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 79.1 percent of children born in Virginia in 2004 were breastfed as newborns and 25.6 percent were being breastfed at age 1. These figures exceed the national Healthy People 2010 goals of 75 percent and 25 percent, respectively, set by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The 49.8 percent of Virginia infants being breastfeed at six months of age just misses the national goal of 50 percent.

These data are the result of a new method CDC uses to determine breastfeeding rates. Beginning in August 2007, CDC presents breastfeeding information according to the year of the child’s birth. Since 2001, the data had been presented by the year in which mothers were interviewed, when some of their children were 19-36 months old. This made the data less accurate than those obtained under the new method.

Breastfeeding

Human breast milk is the best food for infants and is the only food that infants need for the first six months of life. Breastfeeding is endorsed not only by the Virginia Department of Health, but also by the World Health Organization, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and many other scientific organizations.

Benefits for Baby

Breastfeeding offers many advantages to infants, which cannot be duplicated in any other form of feeding. These advantages begin at birth and continue throughout the lifespan. Breast milk is the infant's first immunization. It provides antibodies and immunities, which protect the infant from many chronic and acute illnesses such as:

Research shows that breastfeeding leads to optimal brain development, which equates to a higher IQ level, especially for infants born prematurely. Breastfeeding also promotes a stronger bond between mother and child helping to develop a higher level of trust.

Benefits for Mom

Breastfeeding not only benefits infants, but also has advantages for mothers. Breastfeeding uses extra calories, therefore making it easier to lose the excess pounds gained during pregnancy. The physiological process of breastfeeding causes the body to produce increased levels of oxytocin, a hormone that stimulates uterine contractions; this process helps to minimize blood loss after delivery. Breastfeeding also lowers the risk of developing breast and ovarian cancers as well as osteoporosis (brittle bones). Breastfeeding makes life easier because it saves time and money. Breast milk is always the right temperature and mother's can do it anywhere. Breastfeeding provides a higher level of self-confidence for new mothers.

Breast Milk Facts:

• Contains the ideal balance of nutrients
• Species specific (designed specifically for each individual infant)
• Changes over time and throughout the course of the day
• Provides antibodies to help protect infants
• Provides growth factors for infants' intestinal tract

The Virginia Department of Health recommends that infants be breastfed for the first six months of life, with gradual introduction of solid foods at six months. Along with this, it is also recommended that infants be breastfed for the first year of life and thereafter as long as mutually desired.