4%

Percent of U.S. hospitals that provide the full range of support, including follow-up visits and referrals to lactation consultants, that mothers need to breast-feed. A new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report finds that only 14% of hospitals have a written breast-feeding policy, and that nearly 80% give infants formula when it is not medically necessary, which makes it harder for mothers and babies to learn how to breast-feed. Just one-third of hospitals practice "rooming in," which allows mothers and babies to be together full-time and practice frequent breast-feeding. "Hospitals need to better support breast-feeding, as this is one of the most important things a mother can do for her newborn," said CDC director Dr. Thomas Frieden. [via CDC]