Infant Feeding in America: Enough to Break a Mother's Heart?

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death of women around the world. Diet, exercise, smoking cessation, and blood pressure control are all recognized as key elements of preventing cardiovascular disease. Infant feeding has received less attention, but the studies reviewed here indicate that lactation may also play an important role in determining women's future risk of heart disease. A growing body of literature indicates that mothers who prematurely discontinue lactation face increased risk of visceral adiposity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and subclinical cardiovascular disease, as well as cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Breastfeeding is not always easy, but neither is dieting, exercise, smoking cessation, or treating hypertension. In order to effectively fight heart disease, efforts are needed to promote all aspects of a healthy lifestyle, which for women includes breastfeeding their babies.

Awareness of Breastfeeding Laws and Provisions of Students and Employees of Institutions of Higher Learning in Georgia

“…Unfortunately, little information exists on the situation at university campuses across the United States. To achieve the Healthy People 2020 goals for breastfeeding, it is important for mothers irrespective of their sociocultural background or place of work to be aware of existing laws and provisions that protect and support breastfeeding at the workplace, school environment, and societal support (Majee et al, 2017; Melnitchouk et al, 2018; Raju, 2014; Schwarz, 2013).…”