Thursday, February 16, 2012

Breastfeeding Statistics


About a month ago while talking to one of my friends who is a new mom and lives in Brazil, she asked me about the breastfeeding statistics here in the U.S. and how acceptable was to supplement breastfed babies with formula.

Even though I breastfed my daughter for the first 6 months almost exclusively (I only supplemented with formula for a couple of weeks when I was having breastfeeding complications) and continued breastfeeding until she was 30 months old, I know that it is not a common thing to do. Some of my friends only breastfed for the first 3 months (supplementing with formula) and others went straight to formula without even trying to breastfeed.

Based on my circle of friends, the large majority only breastfed for the first 3 months and they didn't feel any pressure to do it longer nor saw any problem in supplementing with formula when necessary.

To give my Brazilian friend a correct answer based on facts and not only on my experience, I researched these topics and found this statistics:

The Centers of Diseases Control and Prevention's 2011 breastfeeding report card (CDC), shows that in the U.S. National:
  • 74.6% were ever breastfed 
  • 44.3% were still breastfeeding at 6 months
  • 23.8% were still breastfeeding at 12 months
  • 35.0% were exclusive breastfeeding at 3 months
  • 14.8% were exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months

They also show on their CDC National Immunization Survey (Breastfeeding Among U.S. Children Born 2000—2008), that:
    • approximately 25% of the breastfed children were supplemented with infant formula before they were 2 days old
    • approximately 38% of the breastfed children were supplemented with infant formula before they were 3 months old
    • approximately 45% of the breastfed children were supplemented with infant formula before they were 6 months old

    On the World Health Organization (WHO) Infant and Young Child Feeding Data by Country chart, you can see the difference between the breastfeeding statistics between Countries. For example, in Brazil (2006-07):
    • 96.4% were ever breastfed
    • 49.0% were exclusive breastfeeding at 4 months
    • 39.8% were exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months

      In Brazil they have a large breastfeeding campaign. They have prime time commercials showing famous actresses breastfeeding their babies and talking about the benefits of it. To help promote breastfeeding they have recently extended the maternity leave from 120 days to 180 days (On the United Nation Statistics Division website you can find a table with a list of all countries showing the length of the maternity leave and the percentage of wage paid in the covered period. The maternity leave varies from 7 weeks in Lebanon to 480 days in Sweden).

      There is no question that exclusive breastfeeding is the most complete and healthy form of nutrition a baby can have it, but it is CERTAINLY not easy to do it.



      Picture source: Daquella Maneira




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      14 comments:

      1. I agree, it is indeed not easy to keep breastfeeding for a long time. My first baby I breastfed for 8 months and with my second we are at almost 13 months now. I actually can't say that I like it a lot:) But my daughter just does not seem to like bottles. We'll see how it'll go..

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        1. Congratulation on keeping it up with breastfeeding! It is really hard, but it is also worth. 13 months and still going is great!
          Thank you for stopping by!

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      2. I have a friend who lives in Brazil and the amount of help she receives from her extended family is way more than we see here in the states. I think if we went back to that kind of thing where mothers and sisters virtually moved in with a new mother we might see more success in breastfeeding. Not that I would want my mother to have moved in. It would have been great to have that extra help with the older children after I had baby to get the hang of breastfeeding and focus on that. I managed fine this last time around without help and we're still going strong at just over a year, but there's a huge difference culturally with families between here and Brazil.

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        1. You are right, the cultural difference is huge. Most of my Brazilian friends, exclusive breastfeed their children. The campaign is so big, that some mothers feel guilty when they can't do it.

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      3. I think that breast feeding is great but, there are situations where breast feeding just doesn't work. I don't think that moms who are unable to breast feed should feel guilty because babies can still get the calories and nutrients they need from formula. I breast fed my daughter up until she was 6.5 months old but, then I found out that I was pregnant and my milk supply was almost non existent so I switched her to formula. My son was a whole different story. When he was born there was something wrong with him and they didn't want to give him ANY breastmilk until they knew what was wrong, so he was formula fed for the first 10 days. Once he was diagnosed I began pumping and he received breast milk through his NG tube until he was 4 months old. At 4 months old I tried breast feeding but he wasn't catching on so we switched completely to formula. Sometimes regardless of how much you try or want to breast feed it just doesn't work out. For many babies formula is a better option.

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        1. I agree with you! Guilty is not a good feeling, specially when we talk about our kids. All mothers want the best for their kids and every one should feel free to choose what they think is the best on each case. As you mention, sometimes, even with all the efforts bf is not possible. I have friends who formula fed their kids (for different reasons) from the beginning and the kids are health and happy!

          Having said that, I also think that bf campaigns and extended maternity leave are great to educate and support mothers who can breastfeed.

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        2. With my first son, I was overwhelmed by breast feeding and not in an area where I got much support. I cried almost constantly about it. Perhaps the best gift I got was a conversation from a friend, who breastfed all four of her kids exclusively for six months or more, to stop. If it makes you miserable, just stop. He will be okay. He needs you happy more than anything. Truly, a blessing.

          Our second son was born in a different community where I had support. He breast fed until he decided he was done, about 10 months. He was just too busy to stay still that long. I enjoyed it immensely.

          Support and encouragement to do what's best given all the circumstances really is key.

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        3. You said it all!
          I also cried constantly and I thought I wouldn't be able to exclusive bf my daughter (not a good feeling), but I was lucky to have the support I needed at the time.
          What a great friend you have!

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      5. I so agree that support really is key. It's not that easy to do for some and it requires so much of the mom that you really need help. I was lucky that my mom had nursed all three of us and that I lived across from my cousin who also nursed her child. One day she ran over to my house, helped me get the right latch and then sat with me. It was such a help. I nursed my first till he weaned himself at 10 months, I nursed my second for 5 months, but did supplement with her, and I only bottle fed my third. Each time I did what I could, and felt good about each choice. But, there was something very magical about the first baby and our lovely nursing sessions! Thanks for a great and informative post!

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      6. I had problems breastfeeding my #1 and had to stop at around 7mths. However for #2 I managed to breastfeed him for 2.5yrs and am still breastfeeding #3 who is 17mths old. I believe it's in the mother's mindset to make breastfeeding work.. if she is for it she will certainly find a way.

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        1. I understand what you say, I had to REALLY fight to be able to breastfeed my daughter after going through all the breastfeeding problems I went through. At the same time, I know that some mothers really want to do it, but they just don't know how. It can be really hard if they don't have any kind of help.

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      7. I completely agree that support and normalization of breastfeeding are so important. Critical, really.

        I am still nursing my 2 year old once a day, and I'm trying to up my supply now to nurse my newborn daughter. She came to us through adoption, so I'm having to work really hard to nurse her. She's mostly fed from bottles, but she comfort nurses a lot! I have so much compassion for women who work hard to breastfeed, but now that I'm actually experiencing troubles myself, I really understand how hard it is when there is no support. I'm thankful that I know enough (this being my second) to go out and find the support I need.

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        1. Hi Tiffany, nice to "see" you here! It is great that you are still breastfeeding your first daughter. I breastfed mine until she was 30 months old and she is now almost five. The other day she told me that sometimes she dreams that is being breastfed and I was surprised. It is amazing how strong breastfeeding bond is. Congratulations on the new addition to the family!

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