More U.S. hospitals encourage breastfeeding within hour of birth

NEW YORK -- Health officials say more hospitals are encouraging new mothers to breastfeed.

A new report found more than two-thirds of hospitals in 2013 helped women start breastfeeding within an hour after birth. That's up from 44 per cent six years earlier.

Roughly 90 per cent of hospitals teach moms breastfeeding techniques and how to recognize and respond to infant feeding cues.

But only about a quarter refrain from giving infants breast milk alternatives -- like formula or water -- unless medically necessary.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention surveyed about 2,700 hospitals for the report released Tuesday.

Overall, about 80 per cent of U.S. babies breastfeed, at least briefly.