United States Surgeon General, Regina Benjamin issued a Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding the last week in January 2011. Benjamin hopes the initiative will educate the public about the numerous benefits of breastfeeding for both mothers and babies as well as generate support in the workplace and home for nursing moms. The program will employ public service announcements, airing on over 1,000 U.S. television stations, to raise community awareness regarding breastfeeding benefits.
1. Breastfeeding Statistics
Of the 75 percent of mothers who begin breastfeeding, only 43 percent continue to do so after six months and of those, only 13 percent are doing so to the exclusion of formula and milk substitutes. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for a minimum of six months. Benjamin hopes her initiative will increase the number of women who initially choose to breastfeed to 82 percent and the rate of those exclusively breastfeeding at six months to 25 percent. Pregnant mothers, trying to decide whether to breastfeed, should talk to their OB/GYN doctors about any questions and concerns.
2. Workplace Support
Benjamin outlined several approaches meant to encourage women to breastfeed. She hopes to pass mandates requiring employers to offer private areas where mothers can pump breast milk during the workday. The employers should set up the spaces somewhere other than the employee restroom and must offer sufficient breaks for expressing breast milk. Benjamin advocates that employers provide paid leave for new mothers and access to lactation experts through their benefits programs.
3. OB/GYN Clinic Support
When initially launching her Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding, the Surgeon General pushed for OB/GYN physicians and pediatricians to provide educational information and support for pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers. Women often hide their decision to breastfeed from peers and employers because of the media’s persistent sexualization of the breast and employers’ disdain for the practice. Educational information from healthcare providers, professional staff, and public service announcements will raise public awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding for mothers, babies, and the community in general.
A Deep-dive Into Specialty Pharma
A specialty drug is a class of prescription medications used to treat complex, chronic or rare medical conditions. Although this classification was originally intended to define the treatment of rare, also termed “orphan” diseases, affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the US, more recently, specialty drugs have emerged as the cornerstone of treatment for chronic and complex diseases such as cancer, autoimmune conditions, diabetes, hepatitis C, and HIV/AIDS.
4. Lactation Support
Many OB/GYN clinics have partnerships with certified lactation consultants. Certified lactation consultants specialize in clinical breastfeeding management. Many certification organizations exist, but the International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA) is one of the most well known of these. Some OB/GYN and pediatric offices may have full-time lactation consultants on staff. Other certified consultants work in public clinics, hospitals, or own a private practice. Lactation consultants advise mothers about the different types of breast pumps available; breastfeeding issues; breast milk nutrition; exercising while breastfeeding; and a variety of other information associated with breastfeeding.
5. Final Encouraging Facts
Compelling empirical evidence shows that breastfed babies have higher IQs than formula-fed babies and have a lower incidence of death from serious illness that carries on well into the later childhood years. Breastfeeding mothers have an easier time returning to their pre-pregnancy size and weights and have a lower risk of postpartum depression. Always sterile, always the right temperature, and always free – breast milk provides optimum nutrition for babies. Mothers take a stand and offer your babies the very best.
