"Babies were born to be breastfed\" is the message that a new national campaign is using to encourage first-time mothers to breastfeed exclusively for the first six months of their newborn\'s life.

The yearlong campaign, sponsored by the Ad Council and the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, focuses on the risks associated with not breastfeeding. Babies who are not breastfed face a higher rate of ear infections, respiratory illnesses, diarrhea and childhood obesity.

Breastfeeding also lowers a mother\'s risk of breast, ovarian and uterine cancer.

The campaign will include radio and television spots as well as print advertising.

Fewer than 10 percent of U.S. babies are exclusively breastfed for their first six months of life and, coincidentally, the U.S. ranks 35th in infant mortality with 6.75 deaths per live births. Georgia is even higher with an infant mortality rate of 8.6 deaths per 1,000 live births, and even more alarming are statistics regarding the 13.7 deaths per 1,000 live births among African-American women.

For more information on breastfeeding, visit www.4women.gov or contact the Ad Council at 1-800-933-7727. Metro Atlanta residents can call 770-451-5501.

Blood donors in demand

With 140 hospitals and health care facilities in need of blood daily, the American Red Cross is appealing to individuals to give blood.

To satisfy the need, Red Cross officials say 1,200 people are needed every weekday to donate blood.

Donors must be 17 years and older and weigh at least 110 pounds. For more information, call 1-800-448-3543.