Breastfeeding

CDC National Survey of Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care (mPINC)

What is mPINC?

picture of a newborn, a man and woman Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care (mPINC) is a national survey of maternity care practices and policies that is conducted by the CDC every 2 years beginning in 2007. The survey is mailed to all facilities with registered maternity beds in the United States and Territories.

Overview of the mPINC Survey [PDF-60k]

Why is mPINC important?

Evidence shows that several specific practices in medical care settings can significantly affect rates of breastfeeding initiation and duration among women. Birth facility policies and practices that create a supportive environment for breastfeeding begin prenatally and continue through discharge. The mPINC survey measures infant feeding related policies and practices, showing facilities their strengths and areas that need improvement.

Maternity Care Practices [PDF-743k]

How is mPINC used?

Two main reports are compiled from the results of the mPINC survey:

Benchmark Reports

Benchmark reports are prepared for the facilities that participated in the mPINC survey. These reports compare a facility's total score and individual scores on each of the maternity practice domains included in the survey, with the scores of other facilities in the same state as well as facilities of a similar size (i.e., number of births annually) from across the country. These reports help facilities identify maternity care practices that they can change to better support breastfeeding.

Overview of Facility Benchmark Reports [PDF-37k]
Sample Benchmark Report [PDF-736k]
- Also available in text-only form [PDF-166k]

State Reports

Aggregate state-level data are shared with state level organizations, such as state health departments and state breastfeeding coalitions, to facilitate their work with hospitals and birth centers in improving breastfeeding care. State Reports summarize each state’s facilities’ strengths in breastfeeding support as well as areas that need improvement. These reports identify opportunities for states to better protect, promote, and support breastfeeding mothers and infants.

How are mPINC scores calculated?

CDC calculates scores for every participating facility and state to indicate their performance on the mPINC survey. Summary scores are based on 34 survey items. Sub-scores are categorized into one of seven maternity care practice domains:

labor and delivery care
postpartum feeding of breastfed infants
postpartum breastfeeding assistance
postpartum contact between mother and infant
facility discharge care
staff training
structural and organizational aspects of care delivery

Responses to specific items on the survey are scored according to an algorithm developed and reviewed by experts in the field denoting the evidence and best practices to promote breastfeeding within the health care setting. Possible scores range from 0—100, with higher scores denoting better maternity care practices and policies. For more information, please refer to the Overview of the mPINC Scoring Algorithm.