The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) just released findings that show that new mothers are choosing to breastfeed (at least briefly) in greater numbers than at any point since the mid-1980s (according to CDC surveys).

Experts attributed the rise to education campaigns that emphasize that breast milk is better than formula at protecting babies against disease and childhood obesity. A changing culture that accommodates nursing mothers may also be a factor.

Well, I can definitely assure you that the health department in my county has a strong pro-breastfeeding bent in the mandatory class for expecting mothers. I’m sure it wasn’t always that way, but they spend quite a bit of time covering the ins and outs of breastfeeding, pumping, what to expect, etc. — and they provide what seems like reams of papers on why you should consider breastfeeding your infant. I’m all for that, even if breastfeeding didn’t work for me with either kid.

And I’m happy if we really do have a more nursing-friendly community. I know my kids’ pediatric group has a “Please feel free to nurse your baby anywhere on our premises”-type sign in English and Spanish on their front doors. I think it does make a difference to moms caught between what they might do in an ideal situation and what they feel they have to do to get by in everyday life. (A big hats-off to moms who work full-time and EBF their infants!)

It’s good to see progress here. I know that for some mothers, breastfeeding just doesn’t work out or isn’t their personal choice, but it’s good for everyone when we can help people make an educated, informed decision about something so important, and to arm them with the knowledge, if they do choose to breastfeed, to have the most potentially successful experience possible. And our “helps” seem to be working.

Posted by Sunshine.