Only 1% of mothers breastfeed for the recommended 6 months

A recent survey has revealed that only 1 in every 100 mothers breastfeed their babies for at least six months, which is the current minimum length of time recommended by midwives and other healthcare professionals. Data shows that while three quarters of mums start by breastfeeding their newborn, very few maintain it. Older mothers and clerical/professional career women (white collar) are more likely to continue to breastfeed than younger mums and those not working, or in more “blue collar” roles.

Studies have shown breastfed children to have greater immunity later in life, and it is generally agreed that breastfeeding is best for baby. Although 6 months is the recommended minimum, continuing to breastfeed for the first year has been shown to provide health benefits to both mother and child.

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Recommended Reading • Child Charities Campaign to Ban Formula Milk Advertising • Bringing up baby – Which is best: breastfeeding or bottle-feeding? • How to Breastfeed Successfully • The Loneliness of Motherhood • How to Overcome Common Difficulties on Breastfeeding

Tags: baby health, breastfeeding, child health, newborns, rearing method

This entry was posted on Saturday, April 5th, 2008 at 3:11 pm and is filed under Health. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.