| Breastfeeding statistics have recently been made | | | | Another answer forwarded by the family doctor who |
| public in the suburb region of Montreal, in Canada. | | | | has delivered over 2500 babies in her career is that |
| Breastfeeding agencies were very pleased with the | | | | some women will answer that they want to |
| overall rate of a whooping 77% nursing rate at birth. | | | | breastfeed from the pressure applied by society. It is |
| The bad news is that the rate of women still | | | | now "in fashion" to breastfeed and a new mother |
| breastfeeding their babies after 6 months was a | | | | might fear to be judged if she does not breastfeed |
| disappointing 3%. | | | | her baby. She then nurses but is tempted to give-up at |
| How can this tremendous drop be explained? What | | | | the slightest set back. |
| can we do to encourage and support breastfeeding | | | | "I have seen women giving-up on breastfeeding after |
| after the first months of life? These questions and | | | | a five minute tryout" says the doctor. "To me, it |
| many more are being considered by organisms | | | | seamed clear that this mother felt more like she had to |
| promoting breastfeeding. | | | | breastfeed her baby more than she wanted", she |
| The first explanation a local medical doctor has | | | | concludes. |
| proposed is the way the rate of breastfeeding at birth | | | | In answer to the question of how we can improve the |
| is calculated. The simple question asked to the woman | | | | drop rate of breastfeeding, the answers are multiple. |
| in labor is: do you want to breastfeed your baby? A | | | | Strong supporting groups and a loving spouse are the |
| yes, is then marked and accounted for as a woman | | | | two most important factors. Making private areas |
| breastfeeding her newborn baby. | | | | readily available for nursing mothers are a must. |
| This doctor says she has seen so many women | | | | Proper data collection is also needed to get a more |
| giving-up on breastfeeding after sometimes only one | | | | realistic picture of the breastfeeding rate in North |
| five minutes try, that the 77% rate is highly inflated by | | | | America. |
| the data collection system. Most women who stop | | | | A one week follow-up call or better yet visit is |
| nursing their babies will do so in the first week after | | | | mandatory to get the more accurate rate of mothers |
| birth. A repeat follow-up call would show a drastic drop | | | | who are still breastfeeding and helping the ones who |
| in the overall breastfeeding rate after the first week. | | | | need support. |
| How can we explain that so many women give-up on | | | | "A stronger belief of the virtues of breast milk is also a |
| breastfeeding after only one week of trying? | | | | must" continues this doctor who does medical mission |
| The first answer may be that we need a better | | | | in third world countries. "In such countries like Honduras |
| support fro breastfeeding mothers and more clinics | | | | and Bolivia where most citizens are poor, |
| where mothers can be re-assured and supported in | | | | breastfeeding rates are above 95% until the baby is |
| their effort to breastfeed. Another very important step | | | | well over one year old. They have no other option |
| would be to have tangible supports for women who | | | | than breastfeed and they strongly believe breast milk |
| are nursing. Education of partners on how they can | | | | is the best food for their growing babies...and they are |
| relieve their nursing wife would be greatly helpful. | | | | right!" concludes Dr Fiset with a smile. |