RLHPF Confrence Booklet 2020 Final - Flipbook - Page 1
Erica Rodriguez | California State University, San Bernardino
Breastfeeding and Maternal Child Health
Supporting mothers, creating healthy babies
Ericka Rodriguez, RN
World Health Organization:
American Academy of Pediatrics:
Center for Disease Control:
Baby friendly hospitals aim
to support breastfeeding
mothers and provided them
with the education and
support needed for
exclusive breastfeeding.
Recommends exclusive
breastfeeding for 6 months,
and continuation of
breastfeeding for one year
or longer as desired.
Mothers offered breastfeeding
support have higher rates of
exclusively breastfeeding then
those who do not receive
support
v
Research has shown that breastfeeding is recognized as the best
source of nutrition for most infants. 1
There is a 36% reduction in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
among babies who breastfed compared to those who did not. 2
v
Breastfed infants are less likely to be obese in adolescence and
adulthood. 2
v
Breastfed infants are less vulnerable to developing type 1 and type
2 diabetes. 2
v
Breastfed babies have a lower risk of milk allergy, atopic
dermatitis, and wheezing early in life, if breastfed for at least 4 months. 2
v
v
Healthy People 2020, maternal, infant, and child health (MICH)
objectives state; currently 33.6% of woman nationwide exclusively
breastfeed at 3 months with a target goal of 46.2%. 3
The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative began in 1991, funded by the World Health Organization and
United Nations Children’s Fund. There are currently 95 baby friendly hospitals in the state of California, with 35
residing in Los Angeles County. These hospitals employ steps to create a supportive learning environment for
new mothers. Low exclusive breastfeeding rates indicates the need for policy change, education, and support.
Currently 8.3% of California’s population does not have health insurance and 12.8% live in poverty. 4 The need
for additional breastfeeding education and support in a hospital environment, with trained professionals, is
evident.
32 | Randall Lewis Health Policy Fellowship
Randall Lewis Health Policy Fellowship | 33