Breastfeeding rates in the United States are on the rise, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The 2013 CDC Breastfeeding Report Card shows an increase in breastfeeding among U.S. children over the past 10 years, from 71% in 2000 to 77% in 2010.
Among babies born in 2010, 49% were breastfeeding at 6 months, up from 35% in 2000. The percentage of babies being breastfed at 12 months also increased, from 16% in 2000 to 27% in 2010. The findings come from a state-by-state analysis of provisional birth data taken from the 2010 births segment of the National Immunization Survey.
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The CDC reports that breastfeeding rates in the US are on the rise.
"While there is concern that infants are not breastfed for as long as recommended, the National Immunization Survey data show continued progress has been made over the last 10 years," the report authors wrote.
The CDC also reported a rise in the percent of facilities implementing practices that keep mothers and newborns together after birth. Data from the Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care survey show that the percentage of hospitals with 90% or more of infants having skin-to-skin contact with their mother following birth increased from 41% in 2007 to 54% in 2011. The percent of facilities with at least 90% of newborns and mothers staying in the same room increased from 30% to 37%.
The agency’s "Healthy People 2020" initiative has established a target breastfeeding rate of about 82% for the year 2020 and aims to increase the rate at 6 months and 12 months to about 61% and 34%, respectively.
CDC will continue interviews with caregivers of children born in 2010 through December 2013. Final estimates are expected in August 2014.