Phyllis asked about the Healthy People 2010 breastfeeding goals and  whether 
the breastfeeding objectives reflected exclusive or any amount  of 
breastfeeding. The goals refer to any amount of breastfeeding. The baseline  for the 
breastfeeding objectives is data from the Ross Mothers Survey. The  
appropriateness of using this data has been questioned by members of the USDA's  
Breastfeeding Promotion Consortium and the US Breastfeeding Committee. As a  result, 
questions on breastfeeding are now included in the National Immunization  Survey 
conducted by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the recommendation  made 
to use this data as the future baseline for monitoring breastfeeding rate  
improvements. Lactnetters can refer to an article in the November 2000 issue of  
the Journal of Human Lactation by Grummer-Strawn LM. Both organizations have  
also asked that rates for exclusive breastfeeding be added to these national  
health objectives.
 
Supplementation in hospitals is at epidemic proportions, most of which  
cannot be validated as necessary. Dewey et al, reported that even in a  hospital 
that is very supportive of breastfeeding, 9-10% of breastfeeding  infants were 
supplemented with formula (Pediatrics 2003; 112:607-619).  Supplementation 
without specific medical indications  significantly increases the risk of 
abandonment of breastfeeding by 7-10  days. I think supplementation is out of control 
and have tired of cleaning up  the train wrecks caused by ignorant, cavalier, 
and unnecessary interference with  breastfeeding. 
 
Marsha Walker, RN, IBCLC
Weston, MA
 
 
 


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