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Breastfeeding Provider Resources

Breastfeeding Is A National Health Care Priority

In 2000, the US Surgeon General's "Health and Human Services Blueprint for Action on Breastfeeding" stated that breastfeeding was a national health priority and identified breastfeeding as the "ideal method of feeding and nurturing infants." The Surgeon General called breastfeeding "one of the most important contributors to infant health" and, along with the Office of Women's Health, developed an action plan.

The overwhelming health benefits of breastfeeding are recognized by:

The American Academy of Family Physicians
The American Academy of Pediatrics
The American College of Nurse-Midwives
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
The American Dietetic Association
The American Medical Association
The American Public Health Association
The California Department of Health Services
The National Medical Association

Too Few Fresno Mothers Nurse Their Infants

Fresno County has one of the lowest rates of breastfeeding in California. Only a third of mothers leaving Fresno County hospitals exclusively breastfeed their infants. Statistics from the 2004 WIC program show that as few as 7% continue to breastfeed after discharge. Babies First is part of a national effort to encourage and support breastfeeding by all mothers for the good health of their infants. Babies First's goal is to increase breastfeeding rates in Fresno County.

Links

American Academy of Pediatrics
Baby Friendly Initiative
Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine
San Diego Breastfeeding Coalition
Breastfeeding Task Force of Greater LA
International Lactation Consultant Association
La Leche League International
Lamaze International
International Pediatric Chat
Pediatrics Electronic Journal
USDA Food and Nutrition Services, WIC Program Benefits & Services
California Breastfeeding Coalition
International Lactation Consultant Association
The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine

PDF Downloads

Fresno County Breastfeeding Resource Directory 2004

Evidence-Based Benefits for Infants

Evidence-Based Benefits for Mothers

How You Can Support Mothers Who Choose to Breastfeed

Babies First Breastfeeding Stakeholder Brochure

Book

An excellent source of information can be found in "Breastfeeding: A Guide for the Medical Profession," 1999 (5th Ed). Ruth A. Lawrence and Robert M. Lawrence, MD.