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
www.4woman.gov
www.usbreastfeeding.org
Page last edited Sun Oct 14 09:34:23 UTC 2007.
