Breastfeeding boom

[Adelaide]

More than eight in ten women now breastfeed their babies, even if for a short time, up from three quarters in 2005, official figures show.

The groups most likely to breastfeed were aged over 30, those from ethnic minority groups, women in professional or managerial jobs, those who were educated beyond age 18 and those living in the least deprived areas.

The figures follow a concerted campaign by the Department of Health, charities and midwives to promote breastfeeding as the normal way of feeding.

Breastfeeding has been shown to reduce infections and allergies in babies and breast cancer in mothers and has been linked to better behaviour and IQ among children.

However those who follow the advice of giving only breastmilk for the first six months remained at around one per cent, showing that the vast majority of breastfeeding mothers give at least some formula, water or solid food before then.

Breastfeeding boom among older, afluent mothers - Telegraph

The benefits of breastfeeding are so great, but I understand some women really struggle with it for various reasons. While out in public you're often judged if you don't find a private place, some women struggle to get the latch, or whatever reason. Still, hopefully more women decide to breastfeed, although it seems like some women are going against the advice to stick to breast milk for a certain length of time and there seem to be education gaps. I know where I am, (have many friends with young children) it's difficult to get proper lactation assistance following childbirth and is only offered in 1 of the 3 hospitals in my region. Otherwise, it's taught by a regular nurse.

[Peter1469]

In order to give your child a strong immune system, no woman who is healthy should forgo the natural method of feeding.

[Adelaide]

In order to give your child a strong immune system, no woman who is healthy should forgo the natural method of feeding.

Some women try very hard but are unable to. I knew of a woman who actually developed an infection in her breast and was later unable to breastfeed her second child as a result. Another woman, it was way too painful. It will vary between women whether they're able to.

[shaarona]

Breastfeeding boom among older, afluent mothers - Telegraph

The benefits of breastfeeding are so great, but I understand some women really struggle with it for various reasons. While out in public you're often judged if you don't find a private place, some women struggle to get the latch, or whatever reason. Still, hopefully more women decide to breastfeed, although it seems like some women are going against the advice to stick to breast milk for a certain length of time and there seem to be education gaps. I know where I am, (have many friends with young children) it's difficult to get proper lactation assistance following childbirth and is only offered in 1 of the 3 hospitals in my region. Otherwise, it's taught by a regular nurse.

I never had anyone teach lactation. I didn't have a minute's trouble with any of mine.. and I was a young mother. Its hardly a big production.

[GrassrootsConservative]

I believe the milk sold in stores that's supposed to substitute for breastmilk has chemicals in it to pre-indoctrinate infants to a Liberal lifestyle and more Communistic way of thinking.

[Adelaide]

I never had anyone teach lactation. I didn't have a minute's trouble with any of mine.. and I was a young mother. Its hardly a big production.

Well, you're lucky. My closest friend had a blocked duct and was in an absolute panic. Called her lactation specialist and she helped my friend unblock it over the phone.

I just think more women would breastfeed if they had more supports. A lot of women experience a painful latch that could be prevented with proper education.

[roadmaster]

I did for my first but had to go back to work and my husband would get the other stuff so he could feed him too.

[Peter1469]

Some women try very hard but are unable to. I knew of a woman who actually developed an infection in her breast and was later unable to breastfeed her second child as a result. Another woman, it was way too painful. It will vary between women whether they're able to.

Well in the abnormal cases alternatives need to be used. I was only speaking for the norm.

[Calypso Jones]

where do we get the idea that women need instruction on breastfeeding? Classes?? reallY??

[Adelaide]

On the topic of breastfeeding, another interesting article!

"In developing countries, HIV-infected mothers are faced with the decision of whether or not to breastfeed their babies," said Lars Bode, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine. "Breastfeeding exposes the baby to the virus and increases the risk of the baby dying from HIV infection; but not breastfeeding increases the risk for the baby to die from other intestinal or respiratory infections."

Bode and colleagues set out to find why the vast majority of breast-fed infants do not acquire HIV-1, despite continuous exposure to the virus in their mother's milk over many months. Even in the absences of antiretroviral drugs, only 10 to15 percent of infants will acquire HIV infection from their HIV-infected mothers.

They discovered that immunologically active components called human milk oligosaccharides (HMO) -- a type of carbohydrate made up of several simple sugars linked together -- may protect from HIV transmission. These complex oligosaccharides are the third-most abundant component of breast milk, yet are not digestible and therefore become highly concentrated in the mucosal surfaces of the infant's gastrointestinal tract.

Breastfeeding may protect infants from HIV transmission