| nately, breastfeeding differences and disparities still | | | | mothers were significantly more likely to breastfeed |
| exist. In fact, only a generation ago, many women in | | | | than were moms in the lower income groups. |
| America would not breastfeed. It was not the | | | | However, the income differences in breastfeeding |
| "acceptable thing to do." Women were even warned | | | | rates can be explained mostly by differences in |
| that it was better to formula feed a baby...something | | | | educational levels. |
| we know is not true. | | | | Racial/Ethnic Differences: |
| Now, as more and more women are learning the | | | | Although efforts have been made to attempt to close |
| advantages of breastfeeding, more mothers are once | | | | the gaps between Whites and both African |
| again choosing to breastfeed their babies. | | | | Americans and U.S.-born Latinas who breastfeed...the |
| However, there are still some rather significant | | | | gaps actually appear to be getting wider over the last |
| differences between women who nurse and those | | | | ten years. |
| who choose not to. | | | | African American women and US-born Latina women |
| What New Research Shows: | | | | are less likely than white mothers to choose |
| Differences by education: | | | | tobreastfeed. |
| Big improvements in overall breastfeeding rates have | | | | However, when other factors were considered, the |
| occurred over the last ten years among women with | | | | racial disparities in nursing remained significant but |
| at least some college education. Anyone who | | | | appear to be explained by differences in education |
| graduated from college were much more likely than | | | | and income. |
| those with less education to nurse their babies. In fact, | | | | The saddest part of these statistics is that we could |
| almost all breastfeeding studies show that educational | | | | save lives of so many little ones who die of illnesses |
| achievement was the strongest predictor of a | | | | that could have been prevented if their mothers would |
| woman's choice to breastfeed. | | | | have exclusively breastfed their children for the first |
| Even if researchers took into account the differences | | | | few months of life. |
| in income and other factors that may affect | | | | It is a shame, because we just need to educate new |
| breastfeeding rates, they find that a mother's | | | | mothers so that they know these things! |
| education played the most important role in the | | | | How Can We Change This? |
| likelihood that she will breastfeed her children. | | | | Three simple things: information, support and |
| Differences between income groups: | | | | encouragement. Only when all breastfeeding moms |
| Women in the highest income groups are the most | | | | have these things will we see these statistics change. |
| likely to breastfeed their babies. These breastfeeding | | | | |