More US hospitals encourage breast-feeding

0
1399

Two-thirds prod moms to start within hour of birth

New York (AP) – Health officials say more hospitals are encouraging new mothers to breast-feed.

A new report found nearly two-thirds of hospitals in 2013 helped women start breast-feeding within an hour after birth. That’s up from 44 percent six years earlier.

Roughly 90 percent of hospitals teach moms breast-feeding techniques and how to recognize and respond to infant feeding cues.

But only about a quarter refrain from giving infants breast milk alternatives – like formula or water – unless medically necessary.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention surveyed about 2,700 hospitals for the report released Tuesday, Oct. 6.

Overall, about 80 percent of U.S. babies breast-feed, at least briefly.

Online:

CDC report: http://www. cdc.gov/vitalsigns