All Children Deserve the Best Start in Life

Hospital Comparison Report by the
UC Davis Human Lactation Center
Although more than 86 percent of mothers breastfeed or provide breastmilk for their infants during the hospital stay, exclusive breastfeeding rates vary widely among California counties and among hospitals. Unfortunately, only about half of the breastfed infants in California hospitals receive only breast milk.

Sponsored by the California WIC Association, staff at the UC Davis Human Lactation Center have produced a report on hospital breastfeeding rates in California. Released on November 14, 2007, the report ranks California hospitals according to their 2006 breastfeeding rates.

Click here to access the Hospital Comparison Report (ie, the policy brief) and the county-specific fact sheets. (Hospital practices analysis supported in part by the California Department of Health Services WIC Supplemental Nutrition Branch.)

Past Conferences

A Closer Look at Successful Breastfeeding Promotion Interventions: What, Why & How (October 26-27, 2006)
On October 26, 2006 we joined Anne Merewood, MA, IBCLC (Boston Medical Center) and UC Davis faculty on the UC Davis campus to learn more about the cost and outcomes of successful breastfeeding promotion projects in hospital, public health, and community settings.

Dr. Heinig presented her latest findings from our CDC-funded cost-effective comparison of different models of breastfeeding support across California. Ms. Merewood provided tools to assist administrators in increasing breastfeeding rates in their hospitals. She also discussed how formula companies (big business) impinged upon the National Breastfeeding Awareness Campaign, in her presentation "Big Business v Little Babies." Click here for more information.

Continuing Education Based on the Latest Lactation Research

Evidence-based Continuing Education for Nurses and Lactation Consultants
The University of California, Davis, is known worldwide as one of the premier research institutions in human lactation.

Faculty and staff at the UC Davis Human Lactation Center (HLC) specialize in bringing you the latest lactation-related information on original topics not covered by any other training institution or facility.

Research | Products | Services

Collaboration Can Change California...One Family, One Community at a Time

Next Meeting of the California Breastfeeding Coalition
Members of the California Breastfeeding Coalition (see below for more information) held their third meeting on October 27-28, 2006, in the UC Davis Activities and Recreation Center (the ARC). Visit the CBC website for more information.

Human Lactation Center and the First Statewide Breastfeeding Coalition in California
In May 2003, staff of the Human Lactation Center led coalition members, representatives of state agencies, UC Davis researchers and outreach experts in a first-of-its-kind meeting in the state to develop a statewide strategic plan for breastfeeding support and form active task forces to tackle the plan. Since that time, the California Breastfeeding Coalition has remained active and on target. Visit their website for more information.

Interested in Becoming a Lactation Consultant?
Click here for information.