The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) goal is to increase breastfeeding rates in the United States and to promote optimal breastfeeding practices. The CDC breastfeeding site is diverse and has value for professionals and for the general public. The site has current data and statistics, guidelines, policies and position statements, evidence-based intervention strategies, research, frequently asked questions, as well as information on a variety of other topics for the promotion and support of breastfeeding.
Items of Interest:
CDC is developing a new system (Maternity Care Practices Survey) to survey all labor and delivery service facilities in the United States in an effort to monitor maternity care practices associated with successful breastfeeding promotion and support.
Released in 2005, The CDC Guide To Breastfeeding Interventions provides guidance in selecting promising breastfeeding promotion and support activities.
In 1996, CDC launched a Lactation Support Program in federal workplaces for pregnant and nursing employees nationwide. Hundreds of employees have participated in the program, with a large percentage of mothers successfully breastfeeding for longer than 6 months. The lactation support program provides: breastfeeding classes; breastfeeding counseling with board-certified lactation consultants; return to work consultation; lactation rooms, equipped with an electric breast pump, comfortable chair, table, nursing stool, telephone, refrigerator, and cleaning supplies, for the exclusive use of breastfeeding employees to express milk during the work day; and discussion groups for breastfeeding mothers.