Question

Why has breast-feeding become more popular in the United States, and what medical findings have persuaded mothers to breast-feed? What cultural or lifestyle factors might discourage a mother from breast-feeding, even though she may recognize its benefits?

Answer 1

In the past few decades US has been lagging behind many developing countries related to initiation and continuation of breast feeding.But now situation has changed there is a rapid rise in number of breast feeding women in America.Now mothers know the importance of breast feeding to their infant.They are learning about the health benefits.Home health care providers and goverment agencies provide breast feeding practices.if paid maternity leave are enacted this numbers will further increase.

Studies have shown that breast feeding helps mother to remain slim,also it improves bonding between mother and baby.The risk of mothers getting Type2 Diabetes in the later life will be reduced ,if they breast their baby regularly.Also infants will have better lung function and fewer ear and chest infections.

Most mothers eventhough they knew about the importance of breastfeeding lack the necessary skills to breast feed their baby naturally.Some mothers believe that it is not necessary to understand about how to position the baby to breast feed,as it is a natural instinct which occurs soon after delivery.That is why most mothers end up breast feeding their babies within the two weeksof postpartum period.Moreover they believe that breast feeding is a hindernce to their freedom of choice of lifestyle.The social stigmaassociated with breast feeding is another factor ,refraining mothers from breast feeding.Women who breast fed their baby in public are not supported ,they have to face embarassement as breasts are considered a sexual organ in American culture and do not give due importance to its nurturing function.Moreover some women believe that breast feeding does not alone improve the weight of the baby and believes that being healthy means to put up weight.So they start formula feed to their babies to gain more weight.Employment is another factor ,due to busy work schedule and lack of paid maternity leave.Most working mothers give up breast feeding earlier.This are some of the cultural or lifestyle factors which forces mothers to give up breast feeding.