Breastfeeding Data
MO-07-0026 BFP
Using data to increase breastfeeding initiation and duration
The California Department of Public Health, Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program (MCAH) is committed to improving overall maternal and child health. The MCAH Program compiles data to monitor progress towards achieving Healthy People 2020 objectives for breastfeeding initiation, duration and exclusivity, and hospital and worksite support for breastfeeding mothers and infants.
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Tell us how you use these data to improve the health of mothers and infants in California:
Data & Statistics
California in-hospital infant feeding practices are monitored using data collected by the Genetic Disease Screening Program, Newborn Screening (NBS) Program. All non-military hospitals providing maternity services are required to complete the Newborn Screening Test Form. In addition to tracking genetic diseases and metabolic disorders, the NBS program gathers data on all infant feedings from birth to time of specimen collection, usually 24 to 48 hours since birth. The Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program staff analyze these data and publish breastfeeding rates by hospital, county and the State.
The Maternal and Infant Health Assessment (MIHA) is an annual, statewide-representative survey of women with a recent live birth in California. MIHA collects self-reported information on maternity care practices known to support breastfeeding, including: skin-to-skin contact, early breastfeeding initiation, rooming-in, formula supplementation, pacifier use, and receipt of gift packs containing formula, as well as infant feeding practices, including breastfeeding initiation, duration and exclusivity.
The Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care (mPINC) is a national survey of maternity care practices and policies that is conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) every 2 years. The survey is mailed to all hospitals with registered maternity beds in the United States and Territories. State level benchmark reports are published by the CDC. The California Department of Public Health, Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program, developed regional mPINC Benchmark Reports to provide Regional Perinatal Programs of California (RPPC) Coordinators with local data to facilitate their work with hospitals and birth centers in improving breastfeeding support.
Breastfeeding Report Cards
Since 2007, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has compiled state-level information used to monitor breastfeeding promotion efforts within a given state. These report cards allow state-to-state comparisons on five “outcome” indicators consistent with the Healthy People objectives on breastfeeding initiation, duration and exclusivity, as well as “process” indicators of hospital and community support for breastfeeding mothers. These data show that although California meets or exceeds Healthy People objectives for breastfeeding initiation, duration and exclusivity, more work needs to be done to ensure hospital and community support for breastfeeding mothers.
Reports & Presentations
These presentations highlight how the California Department of Public Health, Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program (MCAH) uses the Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care Survey (mPINC), the California Maternal and Infant Health Assessment Survey (MIHA) and other data sources to track adoption of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative’s Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, monitor progress towards Healthy People 2020 infant care objectives and adherence to provisions of California Health and Safety Code §123366 requiring all maternity care hospitals to have comprehensive breastfeeding policies by January 2014.
Utilizing Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care (mPINC) and Other Data Sources to Track Success (PDF) 
(2012 California Breastfeeding Summit)
Interpreting Breastfeeding Data to Improve Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care (PDF)(2011 California Breastfeeding Summit)
Association of mPINC Survey Scores and Exclusive Breastfeeding Initiation among California Hospitals (PDF)(2010 MCH Epidemiology Conference)
Using mPINC Data to Support Breastfeeding Quality Improvement Efforts in California (PDF)(2010 APHA Conference)
In 2007, the MCAH Program used in-hospital breastfeeding initiation data to identify regions with lowest exclusive breastfeeding rates to target with the Birth and Beyond California: Hospital Breastfeeding Quality Improvement and Staff Training Demonstration Project. This report describes BBC implementation, evaluation and lessons learned. Curricula, trainer notes, evaluation tools, and other supportive materials for implementing this project are posted at http://cdph.ca.gov/BBCProject.
Resources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Healthy People 2020: Maternal, Infant and Child Health Objectives
For more information on breastfeeding promotion efforts in California, please visit the MCAH Breastfeeding Program Page or the Breastfeeding and Healthy Living Page.
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