Bill Text: OH SCR21 | 2011-2012 | 129th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: To encourage hospitals and freestanding birthing

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-11-08 - To Health, Human Services, & Aging [SCR21 Detail]

Download: Ohio-2011-SCR21-Introduced.html

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As Introduced

129th General Assembly Regular Session 2011-2012

S. C. R. No. 21

Senator Tavares 

Cosponsors: Senators Skindell, Cafaro 

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A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

To encourage hospitals and freestanding birthing

1

centers to adopt policies and procedures that

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promote breastfeeding.

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BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF OHIO
(THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING):

WHEREAS, Breastfeeding is an important part of preventative	4
health care for both infants and mothers. Scientific studies	5
demonstrate that breast milk protects infants from infections and	6
allergies and provides the nutrients necessary for optimum growth	7
and development. Infants who are breastfed for six months are less	8
likely to become overweight or obese during later phases of	9
childhood or as adults. Women who breastfeed their infants have a	10
decreased risk of breast and ovarian cancer, anemia, and	11
osteoporosis; and	12

WHEREAS, Despite the benefits of breastfeeding, the United	13
States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports	14
that only 13 per cent of babies in the United States are	15
exclusively breastfed at six months of age; and	16

WHEREAS, The CDC's Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition	17
and Care, a national survey of maternity care practices and	18
procedures, found that barriers to breastfeeding are widespread in	19
hospitals and birthing facilities. The CDC also found that 96 per	20
cent of hospitals and birthing facilities lack maternity care	21
policies and practices that fully support breastfeeding; and	22

WHEREAS, A review by the United States Preventive Services	23
Task Force determined that education on breastfeeding to be the	24
single most effective intervention for increasing breastfeeding	25
rates; now therefore be it	26

RESOLVED, That we, the members of the 129th General Assembly,	27
encourage hospitals and freestanding birthing centers to adopt	28
policies and procedures that promote breastfeeding, including all	29
of the following: (1) being designated a "Baby Friendly Hospital"	30
by the United Nations Children's Fund and the World Health	31
Organization Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative, (2) developing	32
breastfeeding education for women, including education on the	33
health benefits of breastfeeding, (3) providing breastfeeding	34
education and training for health care professionals who provide	35
maternal and child care, and (4) providing new mothers with access	36
to lactation consultants, and be it further	37

RESOLVED, That the Clerk of the Senate transmit duly	38
authenticated copies of this resolution to the news media of Ohio.	39