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