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Americans Stop Breastfeeding too Early
A new survey conducted by the US government concluded that only 30% of new moms are feeding their babies exclusively with breast milk at three months. The survey found that close to three quarters of new moms breastfeed when their babies are first born, however, the percentage falls as the baby gets older and only 11% are still breastfeeding at six months.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding until age six months and continued breastfeeding through one year (and beyond as mutually acceptable). The study seems to indicate that moms are getting the message that breastfeeding is important, since so many are starting out by breastfeeding. However, they are stopping too early and not taking advantage of the continued benefit of breastmilk.
Compared with a similar survey completed in 2000 the number of mothers breastfeeding at birth was up by 3 percentage points, however, the percentage of moms breastfeeding exclusively at three months was down 9 percentage points and at six months was down 4 percentage points.
There are many factors that can contribute to a mother stopping breastfeeding exclusively early such as returning to work and not having the ability at work to pump, becoming overwhelmed by how much time it takes up and just wanting more flexibility, breastfeeding struggles early on, to name a few. It is important for a breastfeeding mother to have a good support system and to be encouraged by those around her to continue breastfeeding at least through six months.
August is National Breastfeeding Month. Now is as good a time as any to focus on breastfeeding, learn more about its benefits to mom and baby, and to make a commitment to start out breastfeeding and to stick with it.
Instead of pressuring women into continuing to breastfeed well after they return to work, perhaps this author should be pressuring our government to provide at least 6 months paid leave for women after childbirth.
J. Soto,
I have in fact written to my senator and house representative about the lack of maternity leave in this country. It is important for everyone to make their voices heard about the lack of maternity leave. However, what we have at this time is very little and has lead to a decline in how many infants are breastfed past 3 months of age. Mothers need to be encouraged to continue breastfeeding as long as they can both for the benefits to their babies and to themselves.
Thank you for your feedback.