US : African-Americans may be getting inferior breastfeeding advice, Study

A recent study conducted by researchers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that African-American women were less likely to receive breastfeeding support compared to white women.

For this study, researchers at the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) analyzed data from 2,727 hospitals and birth centers within the U.S to see if they could understand why a disparity in breastfeeding rates exists between African-American and white mothers. African-American women are 16 percent less likely to breastfeed.

The team found that facilities located in areas with more African-Americans were more likely to test their medical staff on breastfeeding support. However, maternity wards in communities with a high percentage of African-Americans were also less than half as likely to limit the use of supplements, which include formula milk. The use of supplements could discourage women to breastfeed.

These facilities were seven percent more likely to give out pacifiers, which can hinder breastfeeding
In contrast, facilities that were in areas with more white people were nearly 14 percent more likely to promote early breastfeeding. These facilities were also 12 percent more likely to keep the infants near the mothers, which can promote breastfeeding.

“Because this is the first stab or look into the whole issue, we really don’t know why we’re seeing these disparities,” said lead author Jennifer Lind, an epidemiologist with the CDC, according to Reuters Health. “We found that hospital practices during childbirth have a major impact on whether a mother is able to start and continue breastfeeding. We think it’s really important that all hospitals – regardless of where they’re located – apply policies and practices proven to be supportive of breastfeeding so that more babies are able to reap the numerous benefits.”

Agencies/Canadajournal