Lactation support improves newborn outcomes

March 25, 2025

Breastfeeding is exceptionally important for the health of newborns. Maternal antibodies protect newborns from many infectious diseases, and studies suggest that breastfeeding increases cognitive development. Breastfeeding also is associated with decreased risk of allergies, eczema and asthma, and a decreased risk of sudden infant death syndrome. Breastfeeding can also improve family finances, as the costs of infant formula can be high.

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization recommend exclusive breastfeeding for 6 month and continued breastfeeding along with other foods after that. Eighty-seven percent of new mothers in the U.S. breastfeed their infants initially, while 60% continue to breastfeed at three months, and 55% continue to breastfeed at six months.

JAMA Pediatrics reported last week that a meta-analysis of 40 studies with a total of 8,582 new mothers showed that women who had lactation consultants were 8% more likely to breastfeed at all, and 4% more likely to still be breastfeeding their infants at three months. Lactation consultation was associated with almost a month of additional breastfeeding. More visits with lactation consultants were associated with longer breastfeeding. .

Implications for employers:

● Most health plans cover lactation consultants, and this meta-analysis suggests that this is a good investment.

● Employers can ask their carriers to report on rates of utilization of lactation consultants, and what portion of new mothers are breastfeeding their infants at hospital discharge.

● Plans now provide coverage for breast pumps, which are especially important for women who have returned to the workforce and wish to continue to breastfeed their babies. This coverage is required by the Affordable Care Act.

● Many workplaces have designated rooms to allow women privacy to pump, and some employers offer services to deliver breast milk to home if they are on business trips.

● Some women do not breastfeed for medical or other reasons, and some babies born prematurely or with medical conditions might not be able to breastfeed, so we should avoid stigmatizing women who are not breastfeeding their children.

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