Katy Oestman: More Merced mothers should breast feed newborns

I am writing in response to the Nov. 11 article published in The Fresno Bee, “Breast-feeding improves, but race gap is persistent.”

Breastfeeding significantly reduces children’s risk for infections and chronic diseases such as diabetes, asthma and obesity. Merced County data is consistent with state numbers in that breastfeeding is increasing over time but the ethnicity gap persists.

The California Newborn Screening Program indicates from 2012 to 2014, 60.4 percent of babies born in Merced County were breastfeeding exclusively. This rate is significantly lower compared to the statewide rate of 64.5 percent. Both Mercy Medical Center and Merced and Sutter Memorial Hospital Los Banos are making progress in encouraging breastfeeding in the hospital. However, the gap between whites and African Americans, Asians, multiple-race residents and Hispanics persists.

the Breast Feeding Hospital Initiative is “a global effort by the World Health Organization and UNICEF to have new mothers exclusively feed breast milk – no water or formula – for at least a child’s first six months of life.”

The number of BFHI hospitals in California has increased from only 12 in 2006 to 62 in 2014. However, there is only one hospital in the San Joaquin Valley certified as Baby-Friendly, though a number of others are making progress.

In Merced County, both hospitals are working with the Merced County Department of Public Health to implement the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative’s 10 Steps for Successful Breastfeeding policies and practices. Through the Partnerships to Improve Community Health grant, the county’s public health department is providing hospitals with technical assistance and resources to move towards becoming Baby Friendly.

Additionally, public health and its community partners are identifying community supports for new mothers to help sustain breastfeeding after hospital discharge. Call the Merced County Department of Public Health 209-381-1266 for information.

This story was originally published December 21, 2015 at 3:26 PM with the headline "Katy Oestman: More Merced mothers should breast feed newborns."