A number of new laws take effect in Connecticut next week. One requires the Department of Social Services to provide Medicaid coverage for mothers who need donor breast milk for their newborns in cases where it is medically necessary. Medical providers say this can result in improved infant growth rates, lower infant morbidity and mortality rates, and reduced health disparities.
The Department of Public Health in collaboration with the Connecticut Breastfeeding Coalition developed an informational campaign to increase support once out of the hospital and back in the community.
The campaign is called It’s Worth It.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends to breastfeed exclusively for about the first six months of a baby’s life, followed by breastfeeding in combination with the introduction of complementary foods until at least 12 months of age.
Connecticut exceeds the national breastfeeding initiation rate based on recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While duration rates are still above the national average, Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut Director of Community Wellness Maureen Farrell says they could be better. When the figures are broken down by race and ethnicity, disparities exist. Only 75% of Hispanic women initiate breastfeeding, while only 69% of Black women initiate, compared to 82% of Caucasian women.
Resources can be found at both itsworthitct.org as well as the CBC’s webpage breastfeedingct.org.
