NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Low-income women may be more likely to breastfeed their infants if they get a little encouragement from their peers, a new study suggests.
Researchers found that a peer-counseling program boosted rates of exclusive breastfeeding among low-income, predominantly Hispanic women who gave birth at one urban hospital. Compared with new mothers not involved in the program, these women were 15 times more likely to give their infants only breast milk for the first 3 months of life.
About 20 percent of women who received peer counseling exclusively breastfed for 3 months, versus just over 1 percent of other mothers, according to findings published in the September issue of the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.
Breast milk is considered the best nutrition for infants, with studies documenting numerous benefits, including lower risks of diarrhea, ear and respiratory infections, and allergies. Experts generally recommend that babies receive only breast milk for the first 6 months of life.
Even though breastfeeding is on the rise in the U.S., rates remain especially low among low-income families.
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