HEALTHY PEOPLE 2020 SUPPORT BREASTFEEDING

WHEREAS, there were approximately 3,978,000 babies born in the United States in the 12-month period ending June 2011; and

WHEREAS, a woman's ability to breastfeed is affected by a variety of factors, including support from family, community, employer and health system; and

WHEREAS, there are more babies being born in U.S. facilities that have made a special effort to support breastfeeding than ever before. Yet, less than 5 percent of these U.S. babies are born in designated "Baby-Friendly Hospitals" indicating best practices in maternity care to support breastfeeding mothers; and

WHEREAS, the hospital period is critical for mothers and babies to learn how to breastfeed. Hospitals can do more to support these mothers; hospitals can participate in "Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care" surveys, and can share information on how to improve maternity practices as well as how to achieve baby-friendly designation; and

WHEREAS, breastfeeding is part of the Healthy People 2020 initiative, and there are several maternal outcomes associated with breastfeeding. Breastfeeding helps the uterus to contract and control bleeding after delivery, helps mothers to bond with their new infants, and reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes, breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Early cessation of breastfeeding and not breastfeeding are associated with an increased risk of postpartum depression; and

WHEREAS, there are better infant outcomes associated with breastfeeding, such as the reduction in the risk of otitis media infections, nonspecific gastroenteritis, respiratory tract infection, atopic dermatitis, asthma, obesity, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, childhood leukemia, sudden death syndrome and necrotizing enterocolitis; and

WHEREAS, breastfeeding is economical, with cost savings of more than $1,500 yearly per patient. A study published last year in the Journal of Pediatrics estimated that if 90 percent of U.S. families followed guidelines to breastfeed exclusively for six months, the United States would annually save $13 billion from reduced medical and other costs and would prevent approximately 911 infant deaths:

RESOLVED, that the American Federation of Teachers will support Surgeon General Regina M. Benjamin's call to action, which outlines steps that can be taken to remove some of the obstacles faced by women who want to breastfeed their babies.