Where Illinois Ranks for Breastfeeding Rates

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding your baby for at least one year. But, the majority of mothers in Illinois and across the U.S. are not meeting that mark and a recent study released by the United States Centers for Disease Control suggests it's because they are not getting the support they need to continue breastfeeding.

The CDC, in its 2016 Breastfeeding Report Card, found four out of five moms in Illinois and across the U.S. start to breastfeed their infant, but that number sharply drops off at six months and 12 months. In Illinois, only 52.5 percent are breastfeeding at six months and only 29.2 percent make it the full year.

That number drops off even more for mothers who exclusively breastfeed. The American Academy Pediatrics recommends exclusively breastfeeding, which means the infant only receives breast milk, for at least six months. In Illinois, only 43.2 percent of mothers were exclusively breastfeeding at three months and only 25.5 percent were doing so at six months.

The CDC's annual survey of breastfeeding rates in each state is released during National Breastfeeding Month in August. The U.S. and Illinois average is 81.1 percent of mothers breastfeeding at least once, which put Illinois at No. 29 in the nation for percentage of mothers who initiated breastfeeding.

“High breastfeeding initiation rates show that most mothers in the U.S. want to breastfeed and are trying to do so. These rates suggest that mothers, in part, may not be getting the support they need, such as from healthcare providers, family members, and employers,” according to the CDC study. “The early postpartum period is a critical time for establishing and supporting breastfeeding.”

The states with the highest breastfeeding initiation rates included Utah at 94.4 percent, Idaho at 92.9 percent and Oregon at 92.5 percent.

Breastfeeding supports a child's growth and development, according to guidelines by the American Academy of Pediatrics. And the U.S. Surgeon General's Office notes the practice can prevent illness and reduce future health issues, including asthma, as well as the risk of sudden infant death syndrome.

The survey shows progress across the country. But, at six months, nearly half of all mothers surveyed had stopped breastfeeding altogether. And only 22.3 percent were exclusively breastfeeding at six months, as recommended. Illinois was slightly above those marks at 52.2 percent breastfeeding at six months and 25.5 percent breastfeeding at 12 months.

Meanwhile, only 12 states in 2013 met the U.S. met the Department of Health and Human Services’ Healthy People 2020 goal of having 60.96 percent mothers still breastfeeding at six months. The Healthy People 2020 plan is 10-year national objective plan initiated in 2010 for improving the nation’s health.

• More: The Best and Worst States for Breastfeeding Moms

The CDC hopes the state-by-state Breastfeeding Report Card will encourage all involved in the child's first year to encourage mothers to breastfeed. The report goes beyond breastfeeding rates and looked at barriers to continued nursing.

In some instances, it begins with a lack of information and support provided to the mothers and families at the hospital, according to the CDC. Other cases involve a lack of space, equipment or accommodations to properly breastfeed and pump breast milk once mom has returned home or is back at work.

“Mothers can better achieve their breastfeeding goals with active support from their families, friends, communities, clinicians, health care leaders, employers, and policymakers," said Dr. Ruth Petersen, director of the CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity.

The CDC helps educate hospital staff through the "Best Fed Beginnings" program and has online resources to help individuals and entire industries support breastfeeding mothers. For its part, the U.S. Office on Women's Health offers employer solutions and "The Business Case for Breastfeeding."

Four female pilots with Frontier Airlines filed a lawsuit earlier this year. They claimed that, among other harmful policies, they weren't given accommodations for breastfeeding and pumping milk.

Public accommodations for breastfeeding often draw opinions and occasionally nasty comments from those people around nursing mothers.

Target supports breastfeeding in any area of the store, but a man lashed out at a nursing shopper in Torrington, Connecticut, in June. The mother recorded the man's rant and posted it on Facebook, noting that other shoppers and staff eventually intervened to protect her.

More via the CDC’s 2016 Breastfeeding Report Card

More at Patch:

• Common Breastfeeding Problems

Image via Shutterstock