Breastfeeding

MMWR Article - Breastfeeding Progress in the United States
Report Card - 2012 Breastfeeding Report Card
Breastfeeding Guide - The CDC Guide to Breastfeeding Interventions

CDC's Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity (DNPAO) is committed to increasing breastfeeding rates throughout the United States and to promoting and supporting optimal breastfeeding practices toward the ultimate goal of improving the public's health.

Topics

Featured Items

Progress in Increasing Breastfeeding and Reducing Racial/Ethnic Differences — United States, 2000-2008 Births
National Immunization Survey data indicate racial and ethnic differences in initiation (beginning) and duration (period of time) rates.

2012 CDC Breastfeeding Report Card
State-by-state data to help health professionals, employers, business owners, community advocates and family members work together to protect, promote and support breastfeeding.

2011 Surgeon General's Call to Action
The Surgeon General seeks to make it possible for every mother who wishes to breastfeed to be able to do so by shifting how we as a nation think and talk about breastfeeding.
Action Guides for health care settings.

The CDC Guide To Breastfeeding Interventions
Information for state and local community members to choose the breastfeeding intervention strategy that best meets their needs.

Resources for Improving Maternity Care Practices

Breastfeeding helps protect against childhood obesity. Learn How. CDC Vital Signs™: www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns

For Mothers

Need help breastfeeding? U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) website has information on finding breastfeeding support. La Leche League also has a help line and lots of other information.
Why breastfeed? Read more about the benefits of human milk and breastfeeding by visiting The DHHS Office on Women's Health Benefits of Breastfeeding page.
When should you not breastfeed? Rarely will any disease or condition outweigh the benefits of breastfeeding! Find out more on our diseases and conditions page.