New moms need more information, support

KASSANDRA BRADBERRY; Tacoma

Published: 05/11/08 1:00 am

0 comments

Re: “Higher verbal IQ tied to longer breast-feeding” (TNT, 5-6).

I was happy to read that yet another study finds benefits to breast-feeding and especially to long-term breast-feeding.

The initial breast-feeding rates in this country are around 70 percent, and that’s fabulous. The unfortunate part of that is it drops rapidly in the weeks and months that follow.

What this says to me is that word is getting out about the benefits. Women are getting it and giving it a try, but then they give up.

Why? I think it’s a combination of bad information from professionals, a lack of support when difficulties arise and a lack of support for women returning to work.

What we need next is a study that looks at why woman stop breast-feeding early. How can we as a country support women so they are able to have a strong and long breast-feeding relationship with their children?

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