The Association of State Law to Breastfeeding Practices in the US

Abstract

We assessed the relationship between breastfeeding initiation and duration with laws supportive of breastfeeding enacted at the state level. We analyzed breastfeeding practices using the 2003-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We evaluated three measures of breastfeeding practices: Mother's reported breastfeeding initiation, a proxy report of infants ever being breastfeed, and a proxy report of infants being breastfeed for at least 6 months. Survey data were linked to eight laws supportive of breastfeeding enacted at the state level. The most robust laws associated with increased infant breastfeeding at 6 months were an enforcement provision for workplace pumping laws [OR (95 % CI) 2.0 (1.6, 2.6)] and a jury duty exemption for breastfeeding mothers [OR (95 % CI) 1.7 (1.3, 2.1)]. Having a private area in the workplace to express breast milk [OR (95 % CI) 1.3 (1.1, 1.7)] and having break time to breastfeed or pump [OR (95 % CI) 1.2 (1.0, 1.5)] were also important for infant breastfeeding at 6 months. This research responds to breastfeeding advocates' calls for evidence-based data to generate the necessary political action to enact legislation and laws to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding. We identify the laws with the greatest potential to reach the Healthy People 2020 targets for breastfeeding initiation and duration.

Appetite self‐regulation: Environmental and policy influences on eating behaviors

“…Research examining Baby‐Friendly Hospitals and subsequent breastfeeding behaviors supports the assertion that babies born in hospitals with this designation are more likely to be breastfed exclusively and longer . Similar findings have emerged from studies on workplaces that support breastfeeding . A multidisciplinary approach to studying the impact of these policies could include tracking dyads over time who were and were not exposed to these policies in order to identify psychological characteristics of the mother and infant that are associated with breastfeeding duration and subsequent infant reactions to new foods and flavors.…”

Breastfeeding Trends by Race/Ethnicity Among US Children Born From 2009 to 2015

“…Improving breastfeeding rates across all race/ethnicities and reducing inequities remain important public health goals . The poor breastfeeding practices may stem from a range of interrelated historical, cultural, social, economic, and psychosocial factors, as well as suboptimal policies and breastfeeding programs in certain settings . Many sociodemographic factors are associated with an increased likelihood of breastfeeding, such as older maternal age, being married, higher maternal educational level, and access to private insurance .…”

Lessons Learned During Large-Scale Implementation Project Focused on Workplace Lactation Practices and Policies

“…2,10 Comprehensive workplace lactation programs have been shown to increase breastfeeding among working mothers who were planning to breastfeed. 11,12 Facilitators for lactation support in the workplace include funding, 4 support from upper management, 13 environment/physical space accommodations, [14][15][16] and positive attitudes toward lactation, [14][15][16] while barriers include a non-supportive environment, 6,17,18 lack of compliance with breastfeeding laws 16,[19][20][21][22][23] inadequate information, and lack of support. 24 There is a dose-response relationship between the number of lactation services received and breastfeeding initiation, duration, and exclusivity.…”