Seal of Illinois

Illinois Hospital Report Card

and Consumer Guide to Health Care

UW Health SwedishAmerican Hospital


Maternal / Pediatric - Breast Feeding

Breast Feeding

Both babies and mothers gain important benefits from breastfeeding. Breast milk contains antibodies that can protect infants from bacterial and viral infections, and breastfed infants are at lower risk of certain chronic diseases, including diabetes, obesity and asthma. Research indicates that women who breastfeed may also have lower risk of some health problems, including certain breast and ovarian cancers, obesity and diabetes. The breast feeding measures below show the percentage of newborn infants that are exclusively breast fed, exclusively fed formula, or received any breast feeding (either exclusive or in combination with formula) upon release from the hospital.

The information below is obtained from hospitals and submitted to the Illinois Department of Public Health. See Report Card Methodology.

Consumer Tip: You can find information about breast feeding consultant staffing under the Staffing/Beds tab. These consultants are specially trained to provide help with breast feeding to mothers. For more information, read the Surgeon General’s "Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding"

Percentage of babies exclusively breast fed

This measure shows the percentage of newborns discharged from the hospital that are exclusively breast fed

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48%

Percentage of babies exclusively formula fed

This measure shows the percentage of newborns discharged from the hospital that are exclusively fed formula

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24%

Percentage of babies with "any" breast feeding

This measure shows the percentage of newborns discharged from the hospital with "any" breast feeding, including exclusive breast feeding or mixed breast and formula feeding

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75%