Majority of U.S. Hospitals Do Not Fully Support Breastfeeding
2 Aug 2011 14:50 Africa/Lagos Majority of U.S. Hospitals Do Not Fully Support Breastfeeding PR Newswire ATLANTA, Aug. 2, 2011 New CDC report shows missed opportunities for preventing childhood obesity beginning at birth ATLANTA, Aug. 2, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Breastfeeding protects against childhood obesity, yet less than 4 percent of U.S. hospitals provide the full range of support mothers need to be able to breastfeed, according to the most recent Vital Signs report released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Improving rates of breastfeeding by providing better hospital support to mothers and babies is an important strategy to improve children's health, including a reduced risk of childhood obesity. "Hospitals play a vital role in supporting a mother to be able to breastfeed," said CDC Director Thomas R. Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. "Those first few hours and days that a mom and her baby spend learning to breastfeed are critical. Hospit...