Study links hospital role in breastfeeding, childhood obesity
By JONDI GUMZ
Sentinel staff writer
SANTA CRUZ — State health officials want to enlist hospitals in the fight against chubby childhood. But research suggests not all hospitals are prepared to do so.
A UC Davis study released Monday shows wide variation in the percentage of moms who feed their babies only breast milk while in the hospital. Doctors say moms who continue this practice for the first six months of infancy can protect their children against becoming overweight.
According to the study, about 40.5 percent of mothers statewide breastfeed their babies "exclusively" while in the hospital, which means the infants receive only breast milk — not formula or other liquids or food. Locally, the rates are higher, but still vary, ranging from 48 percent at Watsonville Community Hospital to 67 percent at Dominican and 82 percent at Sutter Maternity and Surgery Center. In fact, Sutter ranked in the top 5 percent statewide.
Once mothers leave the hospital, their decision to breastfeed may be affected by cultural, historic and economic factors. This study focused on the choice made by mothers at the hospital.
"Hospital policies make a big difference," said Jane Heinig, a researcher who oversees the UC Davis Human Lactation Center.
For example, mothers may be given free baby formula, or not all the nurses may be trained to assist breastfeeding mothers.
The study also found ethnicity makes a difference. Statewide, about 62 percent of white moms fed their babies only breast milk while in the hospital; the percentage was 40 percent for black moms and 29 percent for Latina moms.
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"There definitely are cultural differences," Heinig said. "But if hospital policies are in place to support breastfeeding moms, those differences start to disappear."
All three Santa Cruz County hospitals have board-certified lactation consultants to advise moms, and all three have support groups. But there are several differences.
One is that Sutter does not have an intensive care unit devoted to premature babies, who may not be able to breastfeed for medical reasons; both Dominican Hospital and Watsonville Community Hospital care for those infants.
Another is that Sutter puts significant resources into promoting breastfeeding. The hospital has had a full-time lactation consultant since it opened 10 years ago even though it delivers the fewest babies, 850 in 2004.
In contrast, Watsonville Community Hospital, which delivered 1,717 babies that year, has a part-time lactation consultant who has had that assignment for 21/2 years.
Dominican, which delivered 1,089 babies in 2004, has a full-time lactation consultant, assisted by two other staffers.
The Watsonville hospital has one support group; Dominican Hospital offers two, and Sutter has three.
Both Dominican and Sutter have stores that sell supplies such as breast pumps and nursing bras to breastfeeding moms; that service is unavailable at the Watsonville hospital.
"I see all the patients every time I'm in," said Kathryne Rockwood, who juggles her duties as lactation consultant at Watsonville Community Hospital with other responsibilities in the neonatal unit for premature babies. "Let's face it, it's the first fast food."
No one told her about breastfeeding when her first child was born more than 35 years ago. The science of the time was that formula-feeding was best.
When Rockwood decided to breastfeed her second child, her breasts became swollen, but a helpful doctor and La Leche League kept her from giving up. She's eager to make a difference for other mothers.
"Half the time I'm a cheerleader," she said.
Lili Beggs, Sutter's lactation consultant, pointed out that research on the benefits of breastfeeding is relatively new, including the finding that babies fed only breast milk for the first few months are less likely to become overweight.
"It's important we teach our staff the recent science as opposed to something that worked 20 years ago," she said.
For many years, it was not unusual for hospitals to give moms a free diaper bag full of supplies, including baby formula provided by the manufacturers.
Sutter never provided that freebie, Beggs said.
"We knew it was a deterrent to breastfeeding," she explained. "Those babies get hooked on their formula."
The norm is changing, but slowly, she added.
One reason mothers switch to formula is that it's difficult to go back to work and maintain a supply of milk to breastfeed on the schedule of a hungry baby.
New breast pumps are better than they used to be, and two years ago, California mandated that employers give nursing moms a private place to pump breast milk for their baby.
Still, family traditions can play a role, and a daughter may opt for formula if her mother or grandmother or aunt recommends it.
"It's not fair to say it's all up to the hospital," said Katie Le Baron of the county Health Services Agency and a member of the Santa Cruz Breastfeeding Coalition. "But what happens in the hospital or what doesn't happen is significant."
Contact Jondi Gumz at
jgumz@santacruzsentinel.com.
County breastfeeding rates
These 2004 figures show the percentage of moms breastfeeding in the hospital and to what extent. The 2004 data are the most recent available.
Hospital: Watsonville Community Hospital
Some breastfeeding: 91.9%
Only breastmilk:48.3%
Births: 1,717
Hospital: Dominican Hospital
Some breastfeeding:93.4%
Only breastmilk:67.2%
Births: 1,089
Hospital:Births Sutter Maternity & Surgery
Some breastfeeding:96%
Only breastmilk: 82.4%
Births: 850
Source: UC Davis Human Lactation Center
Benefits of breastfeeding
Providing infants with human milk gives them the most complete nutrition possible. Studies have shown that breastfed children have fewer and less serious illnesses than those who never received breast milk, including reduced risk of SIDS and less childhood cancer and diabetes.
Mothers who choose to breastfeed are healthier. Recent studies show that women who breastfeed enjoy decreased risks of breast and ovarian cancer, anemia and osteoporosis.
Less tax money is required to provide assistance to properly fed children. Families who breastfeed have more money available to purchase goods and services, thereby benefiting the local economy.
Breastfeeding uses none of the tin, paper, plastic, or energy necessary for preparing, packaging, and transporting artificial baby milks. In addition, research shows that feeding a baby only breastmilk for the first six months naturally spaces pregnancies.
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