This is part of our Latina Mom and Baby Health: A Research Review »
Benefits of breastfeeding
The benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and baby are well established in the literature, and yet breastfeeding rates in the United States remain below desired levels.38,39 According to recommendations from The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), mothers should exclusively breastfeed their infants for at least the first 6 months of life, with continuation for 1 year or longer. In addition, breastfeeding infants should not receive supplemental formula unless advised by a health care professional.39,40 As part of the Healthy People 2020 initiative, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services outlined several ...
Of the approximately four million babies born in the United States every year, only about 14 percent are born in Baby-Friendly hospitals, The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative established 10 Steps to Successful Breastfeeding in 1989, which were endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics in 2009. However, a recent study found that many hospitals still do not implement these 10 Steps. Breastfeeding has numerous health benefits, including reduced childhood obesity, but many mothers face challenges to breastfeed. Maternal experiences during the birth hospitalization show that a hospital's policies and practices affect a mother's ability to establish and maintain breastfeeding. In the six-year study, Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care, investigators compare ...
Some children between the ages of 0-5 are at a higher risk than their peers for being overweight. Research shows that breastfeeding may be one important way to promote a healthy weight for both moms and their babies. Yet, while breastfeeding is strongly encouraged up to 2 years of age, many moms lack the support they need to continue breastfeeding. Join us for a #SaludTues tweetchat on August 25, 2015, to learn more about the importance of breastfeeding and how to support an environment that encourages moms to continue breastfeeding. • WHAT: #SaludTues Tweetchat: “The Nursing Mom: A Look at Benefits & Barriers to Breastfeeding”
• DATE: Tuesday, August 25, 2015
• TIME: 1-2 p.m. ET (Noon-1 p.m. CT)
• WHERE: On Twitter with hashtag #SaludTues
• HOST: ...
Policies to accommodate breastfeeding are extending beyond hospitals and workplaces and into professional baseball parks. The Cinncinati Reds opened the Pampers Nursing Suite at the Great American Ball Park in March and the Washington Nationals opened the Lansinoh Nursing Lounge at the Nationals Park during National Breastfeeding Week. These lounges or suites provide mothers with the option to nurse or pump in a cool, quiet and private place, rather than in the rowdy stands or in a public restroom. The purpose of breastfeeding policies are to make breastfeeding more accommodating and acceptable in order to support mother's breastfeeding goals, no matter what they are. Policies supporting mother's options to breastfeed could influence a shift back to breastfeeding, which has ...
From breastfeeding to solid foods and vegetables, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) address childhood food issues in a new report, Early Childhood Nutrition. The report covers: Breastfeeding
Support for Infant Feeding
First Solid Foods
Healthy Eating
Affordability of Nutritious Foods Let’s dive deeper into the report and how it impacts families with children.
1. Most Infants Don’t Receive Full Health Benefits from Breast Milk
The CDC report found that only 2 in 5 infants born in 2022 were still being breastfed on their first birthday, meaning that most infants do not receive the full health benefits that breast milk can provide. “Breastfeeding is the best source of nutrition for most infants. It helps protect babies and moms from ...
Breastfeeding has many health benefits for both mothers and babies. For mothers, breastfeeding can help speed up the recovery process after birth, reduce long-term health risks, including breast and ovarian cancers, and help with postpartum weight loss due to the extra calories being burned. For infants, breastfeeding contains optimal nutrition for immune protection from illnesses helps with brain development, and reduces risks of chronic health conditions like obesity. Unfortunately, without access to Spanish-language lactation resources, too many Latinas give up breastfeeding too soon. That’s where the Mama Sana Program comes into play. The program offers mothers Spanish-language support to help them navigate the difficult journey that is ...
Breast cancer is a common cancer affecting US women, including Latinas. While breast cancer is very treatable, many Latinas get diagnosed at later stages when the cancer has already spread, resulting in a higher risk of death. The best way to detect breast cancer early is by getting your annual mammogram. However, many women, including Latinas, have dense breast tissue, making it harder to conduct a mammogram and detect cancer. Here are eight things you need to know about breast density and cancer.
1. Dense Breasts Occur When There is Less Fat than Tissue
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) defines dense breasts as a measure of how two types of breast tissue found in the breast compared to the amount of fat tissue. Dense breasts are categorized ...
Mother’s Day is a time to celebrate the women who raised us, cared for us, and put our needs above their own. Now, it’s time to take care of her. Whether you're a first-time mom or have a few kiddos under your belt, here are four health and wellness resources for mothers.
1. National Maternal Mental Health Hotline
Launched on Mother’s Day 2022, the National Maternal Health Hotline is a free, 24/7, confidential hotline that supports women, before, during, and after pregnancy via phone call or text. The hotline was designed to help combat maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity crisis in the US by connecting women to counselors, including licensed health care professionals, certified educators, and specialists. These counselors listen to the ...
The American Cancer Society estimates over 2 million new cancer cases and 600,000 cancer deaths among Latinos and all people in the US in 2025, according to a new report. This makes cancer one of the most prevalent, deadly health issues facing our nation. To respond to the health crisis of cancer in South Texas, the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio is hosting its annual Give Cancer the Boot Survivorship 5K and 1-Mile Walk in celebration of cancer survivors, patients, and their families on April 5, 2025. REGISTER NOW!
Give Cancer the Boot
Not only does the event raise awareness about the impact of cancer on the community, but it also goes to support the Mays Cancer Center’s Patient and Family Assistance Fund. The Patient and Family Assistance Fund ...
