Less than half of mothers breastfeed after two months
Thursday, March 23, 2017
A survey of 500 new mothers reveals that while almost three-quarters start breastfeeding, less than half continue to do so six-to eight weeks later.
Guidelines in England recommend exclusively breastfeeding for the first six months as it boost a baby’s ability to fight illness and infection.
Carried out by Public Health England (PHE) and the NHS, the survey also found that more than half of mothers were concerned that breastfeeding could mean that they wouldn’t be able to tell if their baby was getting too much or not enough milk.
Nearly three in ten were worried that breastfeeding could mean their baby might not be getting the right nutrients.
The survey also confirmed that breastfeeding in public is something that mothers are concerned about.
More than 60 per cent were embarrassed about breastfeeding in front of strangers and 59 per cent in front of their partner's family.
However, respondents reported feeling inspired by celebrity mothers who have championed breastfeeding, including the Only Way is Essex star Sam Faiers, presenter Fearne Cotton and actor Blake Lively.
To help breastfeeding mothers, the PHE has launched a new interactve Breastfeeding Friend (BFF) under its Start4life campaign, targeted at pregnant women and new mothers.
The BFF is accessed through Facebook messenger and provides personal support to mothers 24 hours a day. It also aims to dispel breastfeeding myths.
Viv Bennett, chief nurse at Public Health England, said, ‘Breastfeeding, while natural, is something that all mums and their babies learn by doing. Mums tell us that after the first few weeks breastfeeding becomes easier, so proper support is crucial at this time, which is where our BFF is designed to help.
‘We can all help women feel comfortable breastfeeding their baby wherever they are. Creating a wider culture of encouragement and support will help make a mother’s experience all the more positive.’
Jacque Gerrard, director for England at the Royal College of Midwives, said, ‘Getting infant feeding right will help give newborn babies the best possible start in life. Women need all the support they can get, particularly first time mothers. It is important that midwives and maternity support workers continue to promote breastfeeding. Any initiative that goes towards helping mothers start and sustain breastfeeding for longer is positive as we know the health benefits from being breastfed last a lifetime.’
- Click here for the BFF chatbot
