Notes

Between July, 2014 and June, 2015, the New Jersey Department of Health rolled out a new birth certificate data collection system. In the old system, Feeding at Discharge was defined as "the type of feedings given in the 24 hours prior to discharge" with four possible entries: breast feeding, formula feeding, combination, and other (e.g., intravenously). In the new system, there are two questions: (1) Is infant being breastfed at time of discharge, referring to the infant suckling on the mother's breast, and (2) Exclusive breast milk through entire stay, referring to whether the infant was fed only breast milk regardless of the method. Both questions have yes/no responses. If the first question is yes, then feeding is breast. If the first question is yes and the second is no, then feeding is combination. If both answers are no, then feeding is formula. This change in data collection renders pre-2014 and post-2015 data incomparable.

Data Source

Birth Certificate Database, Office of Vital Statistics and Registry, New Jersey Department of Health

Definition

The type of feedings given to an infant in the 24 hours prior to discharge from the hospital. (See Data Interpretation Issues section for more information.)

Numerator

Number of feeding type-specific live births

Denominator

Total number of live births

Healthy People Objective: Increase the proportion of infants who are breastfed

U.S. Target: Ever: 81.9%, Exclusively Through 3 Months: 46.2%, Exclusively Through 6 Months: 25.5%
State Target: Ever: 85%, Exclusively Through 3 Months: 45%, Exclusively Through 6 Months: 25.5%

What Is Being Done?

In September 2022, the New Jersey Department of Health released its [https://www.state.nj.us/health/fhs/wic/documents/FINAL%20New%20Jersey%20Breastfeeding%20Strategic%20Plan%202022.pdf 2022-2027 Breastfeeding Strategic Plan]. The New Jersey Department of Health's Division of Family Health Services calls on all medical providers to implement evidence-based practices to promote and support breastfeeding. The Division annually publishes the exclusive breastfeeding rates for all delivery hospitals. The report allows hospitals to compare their rates to other hospitals in their region. It provides pregnant women with information about which hospitals have better breastfeeding outcomes. In December, 2013, the Department adopted amended Hospital Licensing Standards that require hospitals to develop and implement written policies and procedures for identifying and supporting the needs of a breastfeeding mother and/or child at the point of entry into the facility, including the emergency department; written policies and procedures for the obstetrics unit that include competencies of obstetrics staff regarding infant feeding, distribution of printed materials about infant feeding, cultural competence of obstetrics staff, professional resources for use by obstetrics staff, formula supplementation, rooming-in, pacifier use, breastfeeding assistance, and labeling and storage of human milk and infant formula; and discharge planning. Hospitals are required to establish an interdisciplinary breastfeeding team and use evidence-based resources including "Implementing the Joint Commission Perinatal Care Core Measure on Exclusive Breastmilk Feeding" regarding perinatal patient care that address allowing newborns to remain with the mother or primary caregiver during the first hour following delivery, performing newborn assessments while the newborn remains with the mother (unless contraindicated) and offer support and assistance to mothers who wish to breastfeed during the first hour after their infants' births. Other requirements include readily available breast pumps, and provision of a breast pump to a mother within four hours of her infant's separation from her, e.g., to the NICU, or ineffective breastfeeding; education and training for staff who provide breastfeeding care and staff ability to demonstrate proficiency in core competencies prior to providing related patient care; and establishment of an interdisciplinary breastfeeding team that represents various professional healthcare disciplines and lay groups. These Standards took effect on January 21, 2014, with the goal of increasing exclusive breastfeeding rates, improving health outcomes of mothers and infants, reducing childhood obesity rates, and containing healthcare costs. The WIC Program, which serves about half of the infants born in New Jersey, provides breastfeeding education to pregnant women and support services to breastfeeding women who participate in the Program. The Division of Family Health Services is working with the New Jersey Hospital Association and other partners to support hospitals to attain the Baby-Friendly Hospital designation.

Available Services

NJDOH Breastfeeding Info: [http://www.state.nj.us/health/fhs/wic/nutrition-breastfeeding/] [https://www.womenshealth.gov/about-us/what-we-do/programs-and-activities/helpline#:~:text=Do%20you%20have%20a%20women's,specialist%20in%20English%20or%20Spanish. National Breastfeeding Helpline] in both English and Spanish: 1-800-994-9662

Health Program Information

Between July, 2014 and June, 2015, the New Jersey Department of Health rolled out a new birth certificate data collection system. In the old system, Feeding at Discharge was defined as "the type of feedings given in the 24 hours prior to discharge" with four possible entries: breast feeding, formula feeding, combination, and other (e.g., intravenously). In the new system, there are two questions: (1) Is infant being breastfed at time of discharge, referring to the infant suckling on the mother's breast, and (2) Exclusive breast milk through entire stay, referring to whether the infant was fed only breast milk regardless of the method. Both questions have yes/no responses. If the first question is yes, then feeding is breast. If the first question is yes and the second is no, then feeding is combination. If both answers are no, then feeding is formula. This change in data collection renders pre-2014 and post-2015 data incomparable.