These are the proposed Healthy People 2020 Objectives for breastfeeding
Source: Heathly People 2010
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Increase the proportion of mothers who breastfeed their babiesThe U.S. Breastfeeding Committee (USBC) applauds the retention of this objective. Ever since the health objectives for 1990 were published in 1980, better infant feeding practice has been a national health goal. Improvements are sought in three areas: initiation (more mothers taking up breastfeeding), duration (more babies being breastfed at six and twelve months of age), and quality (higher rates of exclusive breastfeeding). There is ample and increasing evidence that these improvements would bring positive health effects—-short-term and long- term—-for both mother and child, the two partners in the breastfeeding relationship.
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Increase the percentage of employers who have worksite lactation programs.The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee (USBC) welcomes this objective, which addresses the workplace as a key social and physical environment for many mothers. In 2003 more than half the mothers of infants were working for pay. Without worksite lactation support, many U.S. mothers begin giving formula or completely wean their babies when they return to work. Some women never even start breastfeeding, knowing that, lacking paid leave, they will have to be back at work in just a few weeks.
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Decrease the percentage of breast-fed newborns who receive formula supplementation within the first 2 days of life. The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee supports the inclusion of this new objective. Formula is seldom medically necessary, yet in some U.S. hospitals, a significant number of breastfed babies are reported to receive formula during their hospital stay. Formula permanently changes the gut flora and impacts the immune system. Banked human milk is available and would avoid these outcomes of formula use, but hospitals seldom offer banked human milk for healthy full-term babies.
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Increase the percentage of live births that occur in facilities that provide recommended care for lactating mothers and their babies. The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee (USBC) supports this objective. It is a key to improving both breastfeeding duration and breastfeeding quality. We suggest a slight re-wording: Increase the percentage of births that occur in facilities which provide care for mothers and babies consistent with the WHO/UNICEF “Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding.”
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