Harvard Health Content API

In a new study, only about 1 out of 3 women who planned to give their babies only breast milk for a few months managed to meet their goals. But the study also found that hospital practices can affect the odds of success. Researchers looked at information from surveys of more than 3,000 women. The women filled out questionnaires while pregnant and monthly until the baby was a year old. Before their babies were born, about 85% planned to breastfeed exclusively for at least 3 months. But only 32% of these women met their own goal. About 15% quit breastfeeding before they even left the hospital. But women were twice as likely to meet their goals if the hospitals did not give the babies extra feedings of formula. The journal Pediatrics published the study. HealthDay News and Reuters Health news service wrote about it June 4.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg wants the city to limit serving sizes of sodas. And new research finds that drinking water instead of soda or juice can reduce diabetes risk. Bloomberg proposed a 16-ounce limit for sweetened drinks sold in restaurants, movie theaters, sports venues and street carts. It would not apply to grocery or convenience stores. The rules also would not affect diet sodas, fruit juices, dairy-based or alcoholic drinks. The city’s Board of Health must vote on the proposal. The Associated Press wrote about it May 31. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published the new research on sweet drinks and diabetes risk. It was based on a long-term women’s health study. Nearly 83,000 women filled out questionnaires on what they ate and drank for 12 years. About 2,700 developed diabetes.