[Fwd: Program Ups Breastfeeding Rates Among Hispanics]

[Guest guest]

Marinez asked that we forward this research piece on breastfeeding

among Hispanics to you. Bobbi

--

Bobbi Ryder

CEO

National Center for Farmworker Health

1770 FM 967

Buda, TX 78610

512-312-5453 (direct)

512-312-5451 (Assistant, Carolyn Love)

512.312.2600 (fax)

http://www.ncfh.org

FYI...

Researchers are identifying effective ways to increase

breastfeeding rates among low-income Hispanic mothers. The U.S. Surgeon

General has made increasing breastfeeding rates a public health priority,

but there has been little information about the best way to do so—until now.

Proyecto Leche de Vida (Project Milk of Life), a community-based

pilot project, was designed to compare the effectiveness of home visits

with telephone consultations by trained

breastfeeding counselors in an area of Houston with a predominantly

Hispanic immigrant

population. Preliminary results from the study, which involved 105 new

mothers, are striking.

A full 38 percent of mothers in the trial breastfed exclusively for at

least three months,

compared to the typical five percent rate for new mothers in that area.

Breastfeeding

exclusively for three months helps reduce infant morbidity and health care

costs during the

first year of life.

Researchers found that 41 percent of new mothers who received home visits

and 35 percent

of those who received phone calls still breastfed their child exclusively

at three months,

compared to 11 percent in the control group. First-time mothers often lack

breastfeeding

knowledge and skills. Hispanic women also have limited access to

Spanish-language

breastfeeding information and assistance in hospitals. So bilingual,

hands-on teaching during

home visits was most effective.

After the study, the project was continued with financial support from

Episcopal Health

Charities and private philanthropists. Counselors have now provided over

2,700 breastfeeding

consultations to more than 450 women. Another 1,000 women participated in

prenatal

breastfeeding classes.

For more information, contact Judy Hopkinson, (713) 798-7000, Children's

Nutrition

Research Center at the Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX