Boost Breastfeeding Rates : 7 Fixes Every Mom Needs Now

Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Council recommends exclusive breastfeeding (i.e. no solids or drinks) up to 6 months of age.

They recommend that breastfeeding should continue alongside suitable complementary foods for 1 year or as long as mother and child desire.

The World Health Organisation recommends breastfeeding for two years, or beyond if the mother and baby are happy to do so.

In Australia, 96% of mothers start out breastfeeding.but those breastfeeding rates drop quickly.

However, despite a strong desire to breastfeed, the statistics show a sharp decline in exclusive breastfeeding with each month after birth:

• 1 month – only 56% breastfeed
• 3 months – only 39% breastfeed
• 4 months – only 27% breastfeed
• 5 months – only 15% breastfeed

Research has found that by 1 year only 28% of children are still being breastfed (which includes non-exclusively).

If we’re going to make a real difference in the number of mothers who breastfeed exclusively to around 6 months and continue breastfeeding to 1 year and beyond, there are a number of changes at a policy, practice, cultural and societal level that we could make.

In fact, other countries are already doing it. Cambodia were highly successful raising their exclusive breastfeeding rate (at 6 months) from 11% to 74%. All with very little money.

Other countries like Kenya have done the same. Here’s how they did it. Lets make a difference to your family, are you ready to dive in?

Here are 7 things that need to change to increase our breastfeeding rates:

#1: Early Formula Supplementation In Hospitals Needs To Be Reduced

The above statistics show that the largest drop in exclusive breastfeeding occurs within the first month.

Research tells us that healthy, full term babies who don’t receive any form of formula supplementation within the first couple of days are more likely to continue breastfeeding at 6 months. However, many babies are being artificially fed while still in hospital.

The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine Supplementation Protocol provides excellent evidence based information about when formula supplements, and is not, indicated.

#2: Improved Breastfeeding Education For Health Professionals

It’s important for health professionals to be appropriately trained to provide breastfeeding support and accurate, up-to-date and evidence-based breastfeeding information.

However, research indicates that many health professionals fall short when it comes to their breastfeeding knowledge. A better framework for educating many health professionals about breastfeeding needs to be established. Especially for those who are commonly the first point of contact for a new mother.

In BellyBelly’s article about the shocking lack of breastfeeding education for healthcare providers, we explain how most healthcare providers, including doctors, midwives, obstetricians, maternal health nurses and paediatricians, are receiving anywhere from zero to three hours of breastfeeding education in their entire undergraduate courses. For some medical students, it’s just a quick one hour spiel on the Australian Breastfeeding Association.

This is far from what’s required for those in the first line of support for breastfeeding mothers.

This is why IBCLCs are so important. IBCLCs are the true breastfeeding experts – the qualification is like having a Masters degree in breastfeeding. They are required to undertake a huge amount of education and experience hours. And unlike most medical training, regular re-testing is required to retain their certification, to ensure knowledge is current and up-to-date.

#3: More Baby-Friendly Hospitals

There are several practices that hospitals can implement which can help get breastfeeding off to the best start possible. Practices such as:

• Power of Immediate Skin-to-Skin – Boosting bonding from the first moment
• Stay Close – Why rooming-in boosts breastfeeding confidence
• Avoid unnecessary artificial supplements – Protecting your milk supply
• Providing new mothers with support by informed health care workers
• Breastfeeding on demand – Finding good positions
• Feed on cue – Mastering demand breastfeeding and baby lead feeding

If you plan to give birth to your baby in a hospital, choosing a Baby Friendly accredited hospital means the above practices (and more) will be hospital policy. These things will help you have a greater chance of successfully establishing breastfeeding and exclusively breastfeeding for longer.

#4: Implementation Of The WHO Code

Families who use formula need to be able to make informed decisions based on information they can trust. This information needs to be independent and not driven by profit motives and marketing hype of industry.

The WHO Code is designed to prevent exploitation through formula marketing. Australia’s response to the WHO Code was to introduce the Marketing in Australia of Infant Formula (MAIF) Agreement, a voluntary, self-regulatory code of conduct between manufacturers and importers of infant formula in Australia.

The MAIF Agreement states that companies cannot promote infant formula (0–6 months) or follow-on formula (6–12 months). The MAIF Agreement does not apply to many other things that are covered by the WHO Code, including toddler formula (from 12 months on).

Hence, marketing of toddler milks has no restrictions and these are aggressively marketed. Research shows that many parents don’t understand or can differentiate between infant and toddler formulas, but rather only recognise the brand.

While the MAIF Agreement helps somewhat to promote and protect breastfeeding, the implementation of the WHO Code would be much more effective.

#5: Improved Parental Leave Policies

Australia currently has a publicly funded Paid Parental Leave scheme that provides eligible employees with up to 18 weeks of paid parental leave at the national minimum wage rate.

Norway has a generous paid parental leave scheme of either 46 weeks with full pay or 56 weeks with 80% pay. Leave may be taken on a part-time basis until the child is three years old. Perhaps this is partly why in Norway 99% of women initiate breastfeeding and 80% are still breastfeeding at 6 months and 46% at 12 months.

#6: More Breastfeeding Friendly Workplaces

Research tells us that returning to work does affect breastfeeding rates. For example, one study showed that among mothers returning to work at 6 months or earlier, 58% reported reducing or stopping breastfeeding to return to work.

The Australian Breastfeeding Association has developed initiatives to encourage workplace support for breastfeeding. The Breastfeeding Friendly Workplaces (BFW) program is a national consultancy service that aims to remove the workplace as a barrier to breastfeeding. Through an accreditation process, the BFW program assists employers to create a supportive environment for breastfeeding mothers returning to work. The program has developed specific criteria known to be supportive such as flexible work options, a supportive environment, lactation breaks and suitable facilities.

More BFW accredited workplaces would can greatly help more mothers feel supported to return to work and continue to breastfeed.

#7: Normalise Breastfeeding

Seeing things over and over again has a significant impact on how we view the world. When things are seen often, they are familiar and enter deep into our consciousness. So, when mothers breastfeed in public, when photos of breastfeeding are seen on the internet, on magazine covers, on walls in medical clinics etc., this helps more people to realise that breastfeeding is normal. All these things will help to change our society, help to normalise breastfeeding – one public breastfeed, image and supportive message at a time.

Other things you may consider

Partner and family involvement – How to build a support network at home

Studies have show that supporting new mothers postpartum is essential, isolation can derail breastfeeding journeys very quickly. That is why partners and family play a very important role in sustaining successful breastfeeding rates, yet this is often overlooked. By encouraging partners to attend prenatal classes, will help them learn about the breastfeeding benefits and challenges new mums encounter. Partners can assist in many ways; handling household tasks to reduce maternal overload and stress, positioning during feeds, general emotional support during recovery and advocate for the mother’s needs in healthcare.

Emotional support is a key factor in affirming her efforts, helping with night feeds, using expressed milk to prevent burnout or ailments. Research in the UK has shown that an involved partner increases breastfeeding duration by up to 50%.

Addressing potential conflicts between family is critical, establishing understanding when differing cultural and generational views on feeding, and baby care is present. In cases of single parents, community groups or neighbours can fill the void. Ultimately, breastfeeding as a family fosters resilience, reducing dropout rates from fatigue, doubt or exhaustion.

Tackling mental health – How overcoming postpartum challenges will lead to breastfeeding success

Mental health issues like postpartum depression (PPD) or anxiety affect up to 20% of new mothers this has a direct impact on breastfeeding rates. It is a topic that is rarely discussed. Hormonal swings, a sudden shift in sleep patterns, feeding struggles while recovering from birth, can create a vicious cycle of demands and exacerbates mood swings, leading to a complete stop of breastfeeding or early weaning.

We recommend that all new mums should prioritise selfcare, getting outside, short breaks, walks, mindfulness, or even a break from feeding via pumping. Your doctor or healthcare provider can greatly help by offering non judgmental support, normalising feelings like “breastfeeding blues” without pushing formula as a quick fix Evidence from a number of studies have shown that integrated mental health care boosts continuation of breastfeeding rates and encourages feeding successes.

Advocating for policy changes – Workplace and community support

Across the UK and further afield, systemic barriers like inadequate maternity or paternity leave, unsupportive workplace behaviours significantly hinder breastfeeding rates. Changing practices in the workplace and society suggest extending paid leave at least to 6 months, to allow mothers to recover from birthing, establish routines without financial stress and bond with their baby.

Workplaces should provide private pumping or breastfeeding rooms, flexible breaks, and refrigeration for expressed milk storage, as mandated by laws ; the UK’s Equality Act and Australia’s Sex Discrimination Act.

Community level changes that are constantly evolving include public breastfeeding friendly spaces and normalised education in schools to reduce stigma. Governments funded lactation consultants and hotlines, like Australia’s Breastfeeding Helpline. Data from WHO indicates that countries with strong policies, such as Norway, achieve very high exclusive breastfeeding rates at 6 months.