Breast-feeding initiation in New York City, 1979 to 1996

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to explore changes in breast-feed ing initiation from 1979 to 1996 among infants born in New York City hospit als. Methods. All New York city hospitals were surveyed every 2 years. Hospital staff reported feeding method at newborn discharge. Results. New York City breast-feeding initiation rates increased consistent ly from 1979 to 1996 (from 29% to 58%, P < .0001), including 1984 to 1990, when rates decreased nationally. Conclusions. A 1984 New York State regulation requiring each hospital to de signate a lactation coordinator may have been associated with the continuin g increases in breast-feeding initiation.