My Mind, My Body, My Journey™ 

August has been declared National Breastfeeding Month since 2011 by the US Breastfeeding Committee. Every August the US Breastfeeding Committee convenes sessions on social media that encourage advocacy through providing education and allowing for discussions around policy and practice changes. In the US it is recommended that infants be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months and then continue to be breastfed while introducing complementary foods until the infant is 12 months old¹. However, when breastfeeding statistics are explored only 58% percent of infants are being breastfeed at 6 months, with only 25% being breastfeed exclusively during those 6 months². Breastfeeding disparities vary based on a variety of factors such as age, geographic location, race, and ethnicity. For example, mothers residing in southeastern states are less likely to breastfeed during the 6-month period. Rural mothers and mothers who receive WIC are less likely to breastfeed². Mothers under age 30 are also less likely to ever breastfeed when compared to mothers over 30². Asian mothers were more likely to breastfeed when compared to other races, while Black mothers were the least likely².

Sixty percent of mothers are not able to breastfeed for as long as they initially planned². Some factors that inhibit a mother’s ability to continue to breastfeed include issues with lactation including latching, concerns with infant nutrition and weight gain, lack of family support, unsupportive work policies which include a lack of parental leave². There is stigma around how a mother chooses to feed her child, with many people failing to realize that there could be a variety of reasons that a mother is unable to breastfeed, such as latch issues, milk supply issues, and concerns with the baby’s weight. There may also be situations where the baby is unable to be nursed due to being in the NICU or having developmental delays which impact feeding. There are also many women who lack the support systems to allow them to nurse their babies. Some women’s lifestyle choices such as use of substances pose contradictions to breastfeeding.

I think that efforts to reduce workplace barriers to breastfeeding can greatly increase the number of women who are able to breastfeed for 6 months or longer. In 2021, 71% of women with children (i.e., under age 18) were in the labor force, with 55% of them working full-time. Based off those numbers, there is a very small percentage of women with children who are not working. If you look at a lot of the materials provided to women who are breastfeeding, you will note that they reflect women feeding in the comfort of their home. Many of the materials provided do not include information regarding working mothers, or mothers who pump throughout the day to either maintain their supply or provide milk for their baby while they are working. Many employers do not adhere to the state and federal laws designed to support nursing mothers. Mothers who opt to file complaints against their employers do not have resolutions for years, which is well past the recommended guidelines for breastfeeding. Even with workplace accommodations, some professions will have more challenges for mothers who breastfeed, such as those who are teachers, emergency room professionals, law enforcement professionals, or those who work in the community/field. Parental leave is a controversial topic with very few employers offering paid leave, or even leave beyond the 12-week period. Given the recommendations for breastfeeding for the entire year in addition to risks of maternal/infant morbidity and mortality during the first year after birth, I support those who are advocating for parental leave beyond the 12-week period especially if that leave is paid. Give mothers adequate time off to heal, bond with their babies, and ensure their babies are safe and healthy.

Wishing you health and happiness

References:

1. Breastfeeding Recommendations and Benefits. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Website. Recommendations and Benefits | Nutrition | CDC. Updated March 17, 2023. Accessed August 12, 2023.
2. Breastfeeding Facts. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Website. Facts | Breastfeeding | CDC. Updated August 7, 2023. Accessed August 12, 2023.