Pregnant and Considering Breastfeeding?
If you are thinking about breastfeeding your baby, you can prepare while you’re pregnant. Learn about breastfeeding and tell your health care provider that you would like to breastfeed. Become familiar with your delivery hospital or birthing center by taking a tour or a class there. Tell your partner, family, and friends that you plan to breastfeed as they can provide support and encouragement.
Plan to take these first steps immediately after birth to help get breastfeeding off to a good start:
• Have skin-to-skin contact with your baby right after birth.
• Be prepared to feed your baby about every 2 hours at first.
• Breastfeed as soon as possible after birth.
• Avoid infant formula in the hospital unless medically necessary.
• Ask for your baby to room in with you.
• Ask the facility staff for help as needed.
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The CDC uses the National Immunization Survey (NIS), a random US household survey, to monitor breastfeeding rates by birth year. NIS has included breastfeeding questions since 2001.
NIS state and national data reflecting children born in 2019 were recently added. Nationally, 83% of babies born in 2019 were ever breastfed and 56% were receiving breastmilk at 6 months. The socio-demographic data indicate that disparities in breastfeeding persist.
Websites with breastfeeding information:
- CDC resources
- American Academy of Pediatrics resources
- Office on Women’s Health resources
- WIC Breastfeeding Support
- Firstdroplets.com Videos and information in English and Spanish.
Breastfeeding helplines and support: