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Babies Off Breast Milk Too Soon

Three-quarters of new moms breast feed, but only 11% long enough

By Dustin Lushing, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 4, 2007 6:50 AM CDT

(Newser) – Almost three quarters of new mothers in the US breast feed their babies, but they are switching to formula too soon, say federal health officials. Only 30% are sticking to breast milk alone at three months, and only 11% at six months, a new survey shows. Breast milk
protects infants against diseases, eczema, and childhood obesity.

Ideally, moms should feed their infants breast milk for the first six months, health officials say. The CDC survey, from 2004, showed initial breast feeding at a new high, at 74%, up from 71% in 2001. The lowest rate of breast feeding is among black women and unmarried, poor, rural, and teen moms.

Jeanine Everitt Beaver breast-feeds her son Zachary at the intermediate care nursery at the Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois. (KRT Photos)

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Babies Off Breast Milk Too Soon

Three-quarters of new moms breast feed, but only 11% long enough

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Babies Off Breast Milk Too Soon

Three-quarters of new moms breast feed, but only 11% long enough

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

obesity • health • childhood obesity • children • parents • mothers • baby • infant • breast feeding • breast milk

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

'Obese' 4-Month-Old Denied Insurance

Nursing infant outside norms for age; 'absurd,' cry parents

Moms Warned of Codeine Risk in Breast Milk

FDA: Watch out for signs of overdose in babies

Researchers Fight Fat With Baby Formula

Introducing hormone in infancy trims down rats, sparks controversy

Kids Who Hate Mom Twice as Likely to Become Obese

Toddlers with poor relationships with mom may suffer in terms of health

We Are What Our Moms Ate

Health problems may stem from mom's junk food diet, study says

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?