A 2013 report named several reasons for the discrepancy, including unsupportive cultural norms, the misconception that formula feeding is better for baby, lack of partner support, and the absence of maternity leave or other work conditions that make breastfeeding possible.
Breastfeeding is an issue of health equity. Socioeconomically marginalized (SEM) populations with low levels of education and income are much less likely to breastfeed than their relatively privileged peers with higher levels of income and education.
In the United States, women with lower SES are less likely to initiate and have shorter durations of breastfeeding [15, 16, 17], and, similarly, lower education levels are associated with lower breastfeeding initiation [17].
All mothers at some point make a decision about whether to breast- or formula feed their infant. Marital status, education, age, culture, and confidence have all been identified as variables affecting this decision. Previous research has concentrated on the decision-making process in breastfeeding mothers.
The most common reasons cited were inconvenience or fatigue associated with breastfeeding (22.6%) and concerns about milk supply (21.6%).
The most common cause of low milk production is that your breasts are not being emptied or stimulated enough through breastfeeding or pumping. If you're using a breast pump, you may not be pumping frequently enough or your pump flanges may not be a good fit for your breasts.
Not producing milk after delivery is common, and is not a reason to panic. Newborns typically want to sleep a lot and only need to survive on small amounts of colostrum in the following weeks after they are born.
Milk production problems often show up when mothers first start breastfeeding, but they can also happen after months of success. Common reasons for low milk supply include: Infrequent nursing or pumping. Breast milk production is largely a matter of supply and demand.
However, within low-and-middle-income countries, wealth disparities affect how long a mother will continue to breastfeed her child, the data show. Babies from the poorest families have rates for breastfeeding at 2 years that are 1.5 times higher than those from the richest families.
In pregnant women, low SES can increase the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Previous studies have revealed that low SES is associated with pregnancy complications such as abortion, preterm delivery, preeclampsia, eclampsia, and gestational diabetes [3,4,5,6].
The research noted that factors such as low education, low income, gender inequalities, social influence, and traditional practices were hindering the uptake of exclusive breast feeding.
MYTH 1: Malnourished mothers cannot breastfeed
Moderate malnutrition has little or no effect on milk production. Milk production is only likely to be reduced if a mother is severely malnourished; then the woman herself would need immediate feeding and extra food while continuing breastfeeding.
Lower-income families are more likely to use formula because these mothers often face more barriers to breastfeeding.
Malnourished mothers are also at risk of developing hypertension. Although hypertension is associated with higher risks of preterm birth and lower child birthweights, the most severe risks include preeclampsia and placental abruption. The former can cause kidney, liver and brain damage for the mother.
After the birth, a sequence of events initiates milk production whether or not you plan to breastfeed your baby. Although you might not be able to express the colostrum yourself at first, or you might be worried that your milk hasn't come in or is late; true lactation failure is very rare.
Although estimates suggest that only about five to 10 percent of women are physiologically unable to breastfeed, many more say that they're either not making enough or there's something nutritionally lacking with their milk that keeps the baby from thriving.
Infant formula is still a healthy choice, and your baby will get all the necessary nutrients. If you choose to feed your baby formula, there are some benefits: Anyone can feed your baby. Grandparents or babysitters can feed your baby while you work or get some well-deserved time with your partner.
Breastfeeding, even just once a day, is worth it.
Your body is regulating your hormones and your endocrine system with stimulation. Second, the baby receives that contact, that transfer of energy from the parent, and being skin to skin continues to support heart rate, respiration, glucose levels and temperature.
Breastmilk or infant formula should be your baby's main source of nutrition for around the first year of life. Health professionals recommend exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months, with a gradual introduction of appropriate foods in the second 6 months and ongoing breastfeeding for 2 years or beyond.
Feeling stressed or anxious
Stress is the No. 1 killer of breastmilk supply, especially in the first few weeks after delivery. Between lack of sleep and adjusting to the baby's schedule, rising levels of certain hormones such as cortisol can dramatically reduce your milk supply.
“The first four to six weeks are the toughest, then it starts to settle down,” says Cathy. “And when you get to three months, breastfeeding gets really easy – way easier than cleaning and making up a bottle.
Unlike most other mammals that breastfeed their young fairly automatically, primate mothers need support and teaching in order to achieve breastfeeding success. Humans are not the only primates that need to be taught how to breastfeed their offspring, yet humans require more learning than our closest primate relatives.