An increasing number of Colorado women are breastfeeding their babies, according to from the Centers for Disease Control.
The percentage of babies who were ever breastfed in Colorado increased from 81 percent for babies born in 2011 to 88.6 percent for those born in 2013. The percentage of babies being breastfed at six months climbed from 55.2 percent for babies born in 2011 to 66.2 percent for those born in 2013.
Breastfeeding, shown to reduce the risk of childhood obesity, diabetes and asthma, is recommended by the state health department and major medical organizations for an infant’s first six months.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, along with 18 hospitals, formed a to help hospitals support breastfeeding. State health officials said the collaborative has contributed to the rise in breastfeeding rates.
