Poor attachment, "not enough breastmilk for the child", and an unsettled baby were the top reasons for ceasing to breastfeed cited in the Australian national infant feeding survey (by parents who stopped breastfeeding entirely before 6 months).
Reasons some mothers choose not to breastfeed
One, they don't feel like they're making enough milk. There's a lack of education about the first couple of days. There is something called colostrum that comes out, which is very important for the baby. It's drops full of nutrients and disease-fighting antibodies.
Our findings indicate that the major reasons why mothers stop breastfeeding before they desire include concerns about maternal or child health (infant nutrition, maternal illness or the need for medicine, and infant illness) and processes associated with breastfeeding (lactation and milk-pumping problems).
It is rare for a mother to be physically unable to breastfeed. It doesn't matter whether you have very small or large breasts, or if you have inverted nipples. Most of the larger breast is made of fat and the milk-producing (mammary) parts are very small.
Not breastfeeding is associated with health risks for both mothers and infants. Epidemiologic data suggest that women who do not breastfeed face higher risk of breast and ovarian cancer, obesity, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease.
If you're unable or choose not to breastfeed, it's definitely okay—and you're not alone. Canadian and U.S. surveys have shown 10% to 32% of mothers never begin breastfeeding and 4% stop within the first week of life. An additional 14% of mothers stop nursing before their baby is 2 months old.
They also recommend that breastfeeding be continued for at least the first year, with additional foods being added starting at six months.
Breastfed babies have fewer infections and hospitalizations than formula-fed infants. During breastfeeding, antibodies and other germ-fighting factors pass from a mother to her baby and strengthen the immune system. This helps lower a baby's chances of getting many infections, including: ear infections.
Although many women worry about low milk supply, insufficient breast milk production is rare. In fact, most women make one-third more breast milk than their babies typically drink. To boost milk production: Breast-feed as soon as possible.
It's true that some women are unable to breastfeed, at least not exclusively. Some women will produce a low supply of breast milk, for example, and others will encounter other issues that make nursing difficult.
If you're unable or choose not to breastfeed, it's definitely okay—and you're not alone. Canadian and U.S. surveys have shown 10% to 32% of mothers never begin breastfeeding and 4% stop within the first week of life. An additional 14% of mothers stop nursing before their baby is 2 months old.
Breastfed babies have: A lower risk for SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) than babies who are not breastfed. A lower risk of getting asthma and skin problems related to allergies. Formula-fed babies are more likely to have milk allergies.
formula fed are 16.7 times more likely to have pneumonia than children who are given only breast milk. harmful bacteria in contaminated formula. increase respiratory and food allergies which can cause eczema, rashes and diarrhea. likely to have asthma and wheezing.
Although artificial or formula-feeding of infants is presently much safer than it has been in decades, breastmilk is still considered the best source of infant nutrition (Leung & Sauve, 2005). Throughout the ages and until the end of the 19th century, animal's milk was the most common source of artificial feeding.
They also recommend that breastfeeding be continued for at least the first year, with additional foods being added starting at six months.