One of the 17% :)

[ThunderPearls]

Congratulations! Im shocked at how low numbers are :0 all but one of the groups I go to are majority BF and usually im the only one FF! I think it varies across different areas though as the one group where its mainly FF (happens to be where I live) has very little BF support in hospital.

I hope I get back to BF and can make the three month mark! Though at this rate he will probably be 6 months at that point!

 

[summer rain]

I have heard the US figures may not necessarily be based on EBF but on breastfeeding at all, including having formula and food, whereas the UK figures are strictly based on EBF babies xx

 

[Miss_Bump]

Yay that fantastic! Keep it up

 

[Emz1982_in_uk]

Well done x

 

[minties]

I have heard the US figures may not necessarily be based on EBF but on breastfeeding at all, including having formula and food, whereas the UK figures are strictly based on EBF babies xx

I like how the research here does it, there is an exclusively breastfeeding and a full breastmilk catagory. I gather the 'full' one meant they are having no formula, but were getting solids too.

I find it sad that the 6 month rates are SO LOW, in all countries. I would have thought they'd be at least 50% for breastfeeding (with or without solids).

I was looking at the rates over the years in NZ, about 1968 about half of mothers here were breastfeeding newborns. Only half! That was the lowest it got here. My mum was born in '64 and my uncle in '66, no wonder my grandma finds my breastfeeding so interesting. It obviously was discouraged back then.

 

[BunnyN]

Well done

 

[cautious...]

Congratulations! It's a great achievement!

I'm 2 weeks off 6 months! I didn't realise only 1% made it this far! Despite difficulties at first I find it so easy now.

We should all be proud of ourselves - it's one of the most satisfying achievements of my life so far xx

 

[CupCakeFairy]

I have heard the US figures may not necessarily be based on EBF but on breastfeeding at all, including having formula and food, whereas the UK figures are strictly based on EBF babies xx

I like how the research here does it, there is an exclusively breastfeeding and a full breastmilk catagory. I gather the 'full' one meant they are having no formula, but were getting solids too.

I find it sad that the 6 month rates are SO LOW, in all countries. I would have thought they'd be at least 50% for breastfeeding (with or without solids).

I was looking at the rates over the years in NZ, about 1968 about half of mothers here were breastfeeding newborns. Only half! That was the lowest it got here. My mum was born in '64 and my uncle in '66, no wonder my grandma finds my breastfeeding so interesting. It obviously was discouraged back then.

My MiL was breastfeeding in the 80s and she said you were practically under house arrest if you bf because it wasn't as widely accepted as it is now!

Congratulations! It's a tough slog for something that's meant to be so natural! My goal was 12 weeks and now that im passed that, it's every next coming week... Hopefully to six months, but that means I'll miss giving her her first solids as I'll be back at work!

I am surprised at how low the figures are too! So a really well done!

 

[Calif]

The US numbers are for exclusive and should go down because new studies show that 6 months is late to introduce solids. New recommendations are 4-5 months due to higher risk of diabetes when introduced too early or late.
https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/data/reportcard2.htm

https://www.clinicalendocrinologyne...es-risk/4fa37fe86a67ad51207be407100a5321.html

 

[confused87com]

wow i had no clue the numbers were so low! thats amazing how low it goes...eeek just so happy that i am blessed enough to have fed/ be feeding my babies for much longer

 

[JenX]

The US numbers are for exclusive and should go down because new studies show that 6 months is late to introduce solids. New recommendations are 4-5 months due to higher risk of diabetes when introduced too early or late.
https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/data/reportcard2.htm

https://www.clinicalendocrinologyne...es-risk/4fa37fe86a67ad51207be407100a5321.html

Wait, the recommendations have changed already based on a couple of studies using an extremely small sample size of children already predisposed to diabetes? Hardly seems conclusive at this point? That really only suggests that late introduction of solids (specifically rice/oat cereals according to the study) means higher risk of diabetes in kids with already elevated risk for other reasons.

 

[BunnyN]

Yeh, there has been a lot of hype about a couple of studies but when you acctually look at them they seem very inconclusive to me and not really a scientific basis for recomending less than six months EBFing, when so many studdieshave shown it to be a good thing. Maybe I'm just looking for conspiracy theory but I've got to wonder if there are commercial interests involved.

 

[CupcakeBaby]

I'll be sticking to 6 months EBF and then BLW.

 

[Calif]

Hmm yea dunno why they're already recommending 4-5 months. I saw that on the afternoon news one day. Haven't asked a pediatrician yet.

Btw where is the 17% statistic from? Wall Street journal says uk has one of the highest rates:

China's breast-feeding rates are far lower than those in other countries. Globally, nearly 40% of infants younger than 6 months are breast-fed, while in China that figure is just 28%, according China's Ministry of Health. Rates in India and the U.S. are about 46%, while the U.K. is among the highest at 84%, according to Unicef and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
https://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324412604578517380659012240.html

 

[CupcakeBaby]

It's 84% in the uk that breastfeed at birth.

My statistics came from UNICEF:

https://www.unicef.org.uk/BabyFrien...eastfeeding-in-the-UK/UK-Breastfeeding-rates/

 

[Serafina83]

Well done you and thank you cos you just made me feel really proud!M didn't realise the figures were so low. We are a week away from making 5 months

 

[Serafina83]

I have heard the US figures may not necessarily be based on EBF but on breastfeeding at all, including having formula and food, whereas the UK figures are strictly based on EBF babies xx

I like how the research here does it, there is an exclusively breastfeeding and a full breastmilk catagory. I gather the 'full' one meant they are having no formula, but were getting solids too.

I find it sad that the 6 month rates are SO LOW, in all countries. I would have thought they'd be at least 50% for breastfeeding (with or without solids).

I was looking at the rates over the years in NZ, about 1968 about half of mothers here were breastfeeding newborns. Only half! That was the lowest it got here. My mum was born in '64 and my uncle in '66, no wonder my grandma finds my breastfeeding so interesting. It obviously was discouraged back then.

My MiL was breastfeeding in the 80s and she said you were practically under house arrest if you bf because it wasn't as widely accepted as it is now!

Congratulations! It's a tough slog for something that's meant to be so natural! My goal was 12 weeks and now that im passed that, it's every next coming week... Hopefully to six months, but that means I'll miss giving her her first solids as I'll be back at work!

I am surprised at how low the figures are too! So a really well done!

My mum breast fed me ( born 1983) and she told me that she was put into a seperate room with one other breast feeding mum because it was looked down Upon. How awfull is that!?? Being segregated because you breast feed!

 

[JenX]

I'll be sticking to 6 months EBF and then BLW.

Agreed! Me too

 

[CupCakeFairy]

A separate room!? Oh my! What a difference 30 years make!

Although some family members this bf is 'disgusting' so can't quite wait to nd around them! My niece and nephew are fascinated! And know that 'boobies are for feeding' which is a great start, I think!

Funnily enough, was talking to my MiL yesterday and she mentioned these figures. And hadn't even thought about weaning, she thought, and had interpreted the information as, the only milk the baby receives is breast milk. So even of you are introducing solids, breast milk is still used for cereals/porridge/mash etc!

 

[SarahP13]

Congratulations!

And go me, guess I'm in the 1%

As others have said, I'm surprised the figure drops so much from 3-6 months. Every mother I can think of has taken the full 9 months paid maternity so not gone back to work until LO is 8 months ish, and most mums I know didn't wean until 6 months. Those are the two main reasons, IMO, that would explain the drop.

Also, as has been said, the first month or so is by far the most difficult. I guess growth spurts, wonder weeks and teething may be a little difficult for some but if people make it through the first few months I'd be surprised if they gave up then.