If they Could, They Would

I’ve read some new statistics that breastfeeding rates in some areas decline at 4 and 6 months, reaching as low as 14%.  Why does this occur?  Is there not enough education? Perhaps, but my feeling is that if moms could, they would.  There are many factors that influence whether a mom can breastfeed her child exclusively for more than 6 weeks, on to 4-6 months. The vast majority of barriers are ones that are completely out of a mom’s control.  The number one barrier is:  Returning to Work.  This should come as no surprise, as this is the barrier that is consistent in many countries throughout the developing world.  If they Could, they Would.  It’s not for lack of trying, and with more and more lactation consultants, we’ve never had better support than we do right now.  Is it perfect, of course not.  But as we health educators look at the statistics, one thing becomes abundantly clear, working interferes with breastfeeding.  What’s a mom to do, when she has to work?  She does the best she can; nursing, pumping or bottle feeding, or a combination of all 3.

(This blog was originally publishedin 2008)