LLLI Center for Breastfeeding Information
Journal Abstract of the Month for November 2004
"Health Promotion
Begins at the Breast"
Author: Nancy K. Lowe
JOGNN 2004 May-June; 33(3):297
This editorial is from the Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing, which is the official journal of the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN). The editorial gives a brief account of current events in the history of breastfeeding promotion. In 2000 the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) published its Blueprint for Action on Breastfeeding. These plans directed the U.S toward the Healthy People 2010 breastfeeding goals to have 75% of babies breastfed at birth, 50% at six months, and 25% by one year. In June 2004 the National Breastfeeding Awareness Campaign was launched. It promotes exclusive breastfeeding for six months. This three-year campaign targets parents who would not normally breastfeed by empowering women and eliciting paternal breastfeeding support. This campaign was delayed in its launch date due to political pressures from those concerned about anti-formula messages. The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee (USBC), of which AWHONN is a member, monitored the status of the campaign and issued updates on its Web site. Since scientific research has provided irrefutable evidence that "breast is best" why is there any need to promote breastfeeding? "The best interests of babies is not the primary concern . . . Those who profit from decisions women make to not breastfeed can block bringing this evidence to the public consciousness." Since breastfeeding is the single most important decision a mother can make for her baby's health, breastfeeding must be supported by an informed mother and society.
This paper is being categorized
with the following CBI KEYWORDS:
BF Promotion
Infant Nutrition,
Minority Mothers,
Public Health,
Advantages,
Initiation,
Duration,
Advertising,
Fathers,
Exclusive BF,
Infant Physiology,
Immunology,
Statistics
For Additional Information:
http://www.4woman.gov/Breastfeeding/bluprntbk2.pdf
