Breastfeeding Report Card: Where Tennessee Ranks in State-By-State Comparison

Mothers in Tennessee are trying out breastfeeding at the same rate they were nearly a decade ago, but more of those who are trying to nurse in the state are sticking to it, according to a new study released this week by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. It's reassuring progress, but more support is needed for mothers, according to the CDC's annual Breastfeeding Report Card.

Guidelines by the American Academy of Pediatrics, note that breastfeeding is beneficial to a child's growth and development. It can also prevent illness and reduce future health issues, including asthma, according to the U.S. Surgeon General's Office.

The U.S. average is 81.1 percent of mothers breastfeeding at least once. Tennessee is at 71.1 percent and ranked No. 43 in the nation.

The CDC's annual survey of breastfeeding rates in each state is released during National Breastfeeding Month.

The survey show progress across the country. But, at six months, nearly half of all mothers surveyed had stopped breastfeeding altogether. And only 22.3 percent were exclusively breastfeeding at six months, as recommended.

Of mothers surveyed in Tennessee:

• 71.1 percent are breastfeeding at least once
• 42.5 percent are breastfeeding at six months
• 16.1 percent are breastfeeding exclusively at six months
• 24.7 percent are breastfeeding at 12 months

The number of Tennessee mothers breastfeeding at least once is nearly identical to a 2007 survey. But, the number of mothers breastfeeding at six months is up from just 32.6 percent nine years ago. And the percentage of mothers in the state breastfeeding at 12 months has more than doubled.

More: The Best and Worst States for Breastfeeding Moms

The CDC hopes the state-by-state Breastfeeding Report Card will encourage all involved in the child's first year to encourage mothers to breastfeed — including politicians. The report goes beyond breastfeeding rates and looked at barriers to continued nursing.

In some instances, it begins with a lack of information and support provided to the mothers and families at the hospital, according to the CDC. Other cases involve a lack of space, equipment or accommodations to properly breastfeed and pump breast milk once mom has returned home or is back at work.

“Mothers can better achieve their breastfeeding goals with active support from their families, friends, communities, clinicians, health care leaders, employers, and policymakers," said Dr. Ruth Petersen, director of the CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity.

The CDC helps educate hospital staff through the "Best Fed Beginnings" program and has online resources to help individuals and entire industries support breastfeeding mothers. For its part, the U.S. Office on Women's Health offers employer solutions and "The Business Case for Breastfeeding."

Four female pilots with Frontier Airlines filed a lawsuit earlier this year. They claimed that, among other harmful policies, they weren't given accommodations for breastfeeding and pumping milk.

Public accommodations for breastfeeding often draw opinions and occasionally nasty comments from those people around nursing mothers.

Target supports breastfeeding in any area of the store, but a man lashed out at a nursing shopper in Torrington, Connecticut, in June. The mother recorded the man's rant and posted it on Facebook, noting that other shoppers and staff eventually intervened to protect her.

Several mothers staged a "nurse-in" at a Limerick, Pennsylvania, YMCA in May. The event was in solidarity with a mother who was told by staff to relocate while nursing her child, reportedly because she was making "men in the room uncomfortable."

More at Patch:

• Common Breastfeeding Problems

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