“What needs to be Measured” and “What is Measured Matters”

Abstract

Breastfeeding is unique to a woman, and as many women’s issues, has been relegated to the unrecognized and largely unsupported “women’s work” by our United States health care system
and society. Breastfeeding is an important indicator and promoter
of health status for both mother and child. Breastfeeding’s potency
as a health indicator and protector of health makes it deserving
of accurate and comprehensive assessment, documentation, and
monitoring. Increasing breastfeeding continuation rates for greater
dose-related benefits is part of our national Healthy People 2030
goals, but we are underperforming and haphazard in breastfeeding
data assessment and documentation needed to guide our actions in
accordance with our goals. A