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Print This PageSan Diego, CA
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What's Good
- San Diego is home to Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas and UCSD Medical Center, both recognized as Baby-Friendly Hospitals by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) for supporting breastfeeding.
- The Best-Start Birth Center in San Diego is one of 91 American Association of Birth Centers-accredited birthing centers in the nation.
- 18.1 percent of San Diego mothers breastfeed their babies exclusively (meaning no solids, formula or other liquids) for 6 months or longer as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. That's among the top 28 percent of cities in our survey.
- 2 percent of pregnant women here receive late or inadequate prenatal care. That's the 5th best score in our survey.
- 86 percent of San Diego mothers attempt breastfeeding. That's the 2nd highest percentage of any city in our report. Moms here are 16 percent more likely than average to try breastfeeding.
- Babies here are 17 percent less likely than average to be born prematurely.
- By six months of age, 49 percent of San Diego babies are still being breastfed. That's the 4th highest percentage of any city in our report.
- California allows greater dependent-related tax breaks than most.
- California has among the most generous family-leave and disability laws in our survey.
- California has particularly progressive laws guaranteeing a nursing mother the right to breastfeed in public.
- California stands out in a measure of legislation related to cord blood education, research and related issues.
- Compared to the number of babies born, San Diego has more than double the average number of lactation consultants for cities in our survey.
- Once San Diego mothers begin breastfeeding, they are 10 percent more likely than average to continue through 6 months. That's the 7th highest level of follow-through of any city in our report.
- Relative to the number of live births per year, San Diego has double the average number of doulas for cities in our survey.
- San Diego babies are 23 percent less likely than average to be born with low birth weight.
- The CDC reports very low infant mortality rates for California.
- The local climate is especially mild - perfect for getting out with the stroller and working off pregnancy weight gain.
- There are more fertility clinics per capita here than average.
- There's twice as much public park space as average here, relative to population.
- San Diego's violent crime rate is 47 percent lower than average, the 8th lowest in our survey.
- San Diego has a 34 percent lower property crime rate than average, the 7th lowest in our survey.
Needs Improvement
- California devotes less money relative to population than most states to child car-seat-check stations.
- According to the Urban Mobility Report from Texas A&M University, San Diego has one of the worst commutes of any city in our survey. It takes 41 percent longer to drive the same route during rush hour than in free-flowing traffic. That puts a lot more pressure on parents rushing to day care at the end of the day.
- Air quality here is worse here than most cities in our survey. Air quality has been linked to childhood asthma and fertility rates, among other health effects.
- Hospital costs here are among the highest in our survey.
- Housing in San Diego is less affordable than most places: When comparing household incomes to home values, a key measure of affordability, San Diego has the 5th lowest ratio in our survey.
