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Breastfeeding
U.S. Breastfeeding Rates Are Up! Racial Gaps Remain A recent MMWR has new data on increasing breastfeeding rates in the US, but racial disparities persist.
Five-Year Progress Update on The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Support BreastfeedingLearn about major achievements to support breastfeeding.
Vital SignsHospital Support for Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding GuideGuide to Strategies to Support Breastfeeding Mothers and Babies
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.
Featured Items
- Breastfeeding and Breast Cancer Risk Reduction: Implications for Black Mothers
- U.S. Breastfeeding Rates Are Up! More Work Is Needed
- Vital Signs: Hospital Support for Breastfeeding
- IFPS II Year 6 Follow-Up – Published Results
- Breastfeeding Report Card, 2016[PDF – 2.72 MB]
- The CDC Guide to Strategies to Support Breastfeeding Mothers and Babies
Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative
The Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding consist of evidence-based practices that have been shown to increase breastfeeding initiation and duration. Baby-Friendly hospitals and birthing facilities must adhere to the Ten Steps to receive, and retain, a Baby-Friendly designation.
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.
- Page last reviewed: August 24, 2017
- Page last updated: August 24, 2017
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