One of the 17% :)

[CupcakeBaby]

We've made it to 3 months. Treated myself to some new bras and tops today and my new blinkie of course.

I'm so so happy and proud to be amongst the 17% of UK mums who exclusively breastfeed for this long.

Also it's a little bit of a shame that DD flat out refuses a bottle but also amazing to think all of her progress so far is due to my boobs. Tee hee.

 

[CupcakeBaby]

You know what is strange to me?

That 17% get this far but only 1% to 6 months.

Am I being naive to think I'm through the hard parts and now we just keep going? Or does something happen between now and 6 months that's going to shock me? Teeth maybe?

 

[MrsClark24]

Oh nice, well done you! I didn't know that it was only 17%, I'm glad to be in the club! Hopefully il be there with you in the 1% club, teeth or not!

 

[CupcakeBaby]

We'll make it MrsC!

 

[staralfur]

Congrats! I do find it odd that so many people would stop between 3-6 months. Maybe it has something to do with people having to go back to work?

 

[CupcakeBaby]

Congrats! I do find it odd that so many people would stop between 3-6 months. Maybe it has something to do with people having to go back to work?

Yes, I was wondering that.

Or if people add food in early maybe?

All I know is I've got this far it's going to take a hell of a lot to make me stop after the struggles we went through!

 

[Tacey]

I think it's the exclusive bit that makes the drop off so steep. I think a lot of people start giving food before 6 months.

 

[AnneD]

Well done, keep up the good work!

You know what is strange to me?

That 17% get this far but only 1% to 6 months.

I had no idea numbers were so low. Wow. Now I understand why every doctor and health visitor I saw during the first 6 months of my baby's life was somewhat surprised to hear I was EBF, no formula, juice or solids.

 

[w8ing4bean]

Well done! I hope i make it that far. Had a few issues with weight so baby had a few formula top ups. But shes 99% ebf and im so proud of myself for getting to 4 weeks

 

[fieryphoenix]

Hum, that is strange! For us anyways the first three months were sheer hell and from 3-6 months has been super easy I wonder if the numbers are similar in the US? *off to Google*

 

[fieryphoenix]

It's looks like 36% ebf to three month and 16% to six months is the US numbers

 

[dan-o]

Yay well done!

I had no idea numbers were so low, but then again I've never seen anyone else bfing at any of the baby & toddler groups we go to, so I had a feeling we were in the minority!

 

[CupcakeBaby]

It's looks like 36% ebf to three month and 16% to six months is the US numbers

That's a big difference!

I wonder why numbers are so much better with you guys? Do you get good support?

 

[JenX]

I've just passed the 3 month mark too- congrats to us! And thanks for the reminder to update my blinkie!

 

[JenX]

It's looks like 36% ebf to three month and 16% to six months is the US numbers

It's looks like 36% ebf to three month and 16% to six months is the US numbers

That's a big difference!

I wonder why numbers are so much better with you guys? Do you get good support?

I got excellent support from one of the lactation consultants at the hospital and after we left. We went back to meet with her twice and there was no charge for it. I also get great support from a breastfeeding group we go to every week. It meets at the hospital and is led by the lactation consultants. It has been extremely helpful. Having said that, those numbers still seem a bit high to me as most people I know formula fed or only breastfed for a matter of a few weeks, but they are the same numbers I've seen, too. I wonder how they got the data.

 

[fieryphoenix]

It seemed high to me too. I personally got horseshit support, my lo was barely nursing and I couldn't even get him latched when we got discharged, they gave me a case of premixed formula and told me to give him that. I powered through no thanks to our Dr lol plus we are lucky to get 8 weeks off for maternity leave.

Maybe those numbers aren't right...

 

[BigAl]

I think the drop off is food and probably also sleep. Ignorant family start badgering to give formula before bed to make them sleep longer.

There shouldn't be any surprises after 3 months, well done for getting this far.

 

[minties]

Well done! Reminds me I need to update mine to say 8 months.

It's 20% here for Europeans at 6 months, and I think 85% at birth for general NZ. Sadly Maori and Islanders have lower rates at 3 and 6 months etc.

 

[CupcakeBaby]

Well done! Reminds me I need to update mine to say 8 months.

It's 20% here for Europeans at 6 months, and I think 85% at birth for general NZ. Sadly Maori and Islanders have lower rates at 3 and 6 months etc.

20% is great.

It's 83% here at birth so not too bad.

 

[pinksmarties]

Hi cupcake!! Well done to getting to 3 months. As you know I struggled those first few months but he I am nearly 8 months later still bf (although not exculsively now). It s shame the % are so low, a lot seems to depend on where you live/social status/peer pressure etc. Around here the rates are above average but I remember going to Dr with LO when he poorly at 4 months and the Dr was surprised I was still bf!