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In June 2012, the New Mexico Breastfeeding Task Force received funding from the WK Kellogg Foundation to launch the New Mexico Baby-Friendly® Hospital Project through October 31st, 2015.
By mid-2015, eight of New Mexico’s 30 birthing facilities had been designated as Baby-Friendly, and during the final month of funding, more are working to achieve the certification.
This improvement is excellent for New Mexico (47.7% Latino) mothers and babies because breastfeeding is associated with multiple long-term benefits for both mother and baby, including obesity prevention. Unfortunately, the three-month exclusive breastfeeding rates in New Mexico (30.3%) are below the national average (37.7%) and far below Vermont’s average (51.7%).
The high rates of breastfeeding in Vermont could be linked to a culture shift support breastfeeding support in the years prior. For example, in 2012, when the New Mexico Baby-Friendly® Hospital Project began, 10 of the 12 birthing facilities in Vermont had already been designated as Baby-Friendly.
A majority of New Mexico mothers intend to breastfeed, but many give up before they would like due to barriers related to lack of support from hospitals, family and the workplace, as well as from subtle discrimination from the workplace and the public.
In order to continue this culture shift to support mothers who choose to breastfeed in New Mexico, it is essential for hospitals and workplaces to reduce barriers and improve breastfeeding-friendly practices and policies.
Read more about the New Mexico Breastfeeding Task Force.
By The Numbers
142
Percent
Expected rise in Latino cancer cases in coming years
