Chapter 5. Breast-Feeding in the United States and Around the World

5.1 Synopsis

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You must read each slide, and complete any questions on the slide, in sequence.

Welcome

Breast-Feeding in the United States and Around the World

Using interactive maps and data, this activity explores the variations of breast-feeding rates within the United States and around the world.

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5.2 Breast-Feeding in the United States and Around the World

Breast-Feeding in the United States and Around the World

Differentiating excellent from less optimal mothering is not easy once the child’s basic needs for food and protection are met. However, psychosocial development depends on responsive parent–infant relationships. Breast-feeding is one sign of the bond between mother and infant, itself one aspect of parenting.

A lady breastfeeds her baby and smiles at her partner who sits next to her.

Iakov Filimonov / Shutterstock

5.3 Breast-Feeding Rates in the United States

Breast-Feeding Rates in the United States

In the United States, breast-feeding is increasing, but some women are more likely to breast-feed than others, as this map shows.

First, focus on each state to see how many women breast-feed and for how long. Then, answer the question.

Question 5.1 Breast-feeding rates from state to state

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Your answer could reference many socioeconomic factors, such as quality of available healthcare, level of education achieved by the mother, whether or not she has the support of a partner, whether or not she must return to work immediately, and whether or not her family members, employer, and others in her community are supportive of breast-feeding. You might also mention the geographic, cultural, or religious realities that may affect breast-feeding rates in certain states.

5.4 Breast-Feeding Rates Around the World

Breast-Feeding Rates Around the World

Regions of the world differ dramatically in the rates of breast-feeding, just as rates vary state-by-state in the United States. The highest rates are in eastern and southern Africa, where half of all 6-month-olds are exclusively breast-fed and 91 percent of 12- to 15-month-olds have received breast milk in the past 24 hours. Rates also differ dramatically within regions. For example, Norwegian babies are nearly twice as likely as Italian babies to be breast-fed at 1 year.

First, focus on each region or country to see breast-feeding rates for that location. Then, answer the question.

Question 5.2 Encouraging New Mothers to breast-feed

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Your answer might reference how women may be less likely to breast-feed in countries that discourage, or even ban, breast-feeding in public, whereas countries in which women can breast-feed openly and without shame have higher rates of breast-feeding. You could cite paid maternity leave, laws protecting women’s right to breast-feed in public, and workplaces that afford breaks and quiet rooms for women to express milk, enabling mothers to continue breast-feeding after returning to work. You may also mention that hospitals can help boost breast-feeding rates by not offering free formula to new mothers.

5.5 Activity Completed!

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REFERENCES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2014, July). Breastfeeding report card ––United States, 2014. Atlanta, GA: National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

UNICEF. (2014b, October). Infant and young child feeding. UNICEF Global Databases. Retrieved from: http://www.unicef.org/nutrition/index_breastfeeding.html

UNICEF. (2012). The state of the world’s children 2012: Children in an urban world. New York, NY: United Nations.

Elmadfa, I; Meyer, A; Nowak, V; Hasenegger, V; Putz, P; Verstraeten, R, . . . Margetts, B. (2009). European nutrition and health report 2009: Forum of nutrition. European Commission, Health and Consumer Protection, 62.