City Launches Breastfeeding Initiative
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New York City is teaming up with local hospitals to encourage mothers to breastfeed.
Health Commissioner Thomas Farley announced a new program Wednesday called "Latch on NYC."
As part of the initiative, the city is asking maternity hospitals to limit the promotion of formula.
Twelve private hospitals and all 11 public hospitals run by the city's health and hospitals corporation are on board.
The health department will also put up posters in subways and hospitals showing the benefits of breast milk.
"Formula-fed babies, for example, are more than three times as likely to be hospitalized with a respiratory infection than a breastfed babies. But breast milk has other advantages as well. Formula-fed babies are more likely to develop asthma. That's because unlike formula, human breast milk is designed by nature specifically for human babies," Farley said.
The health department says breastfeeding also benefits mothers, as it reduces the risk of ovarian and breast cancers.