August is National Breastfeeding Month. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that mothers exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first six months of life. This means feeding only breastmilk, instead of formula, water, or any type of food.

 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that 86.6% of Latinx mothers in the United Stated begin breastfeeding after baby’s birth, the highest percentage of all groups surveyed. However, a large amount of Latinx mothers stop exclusive breastfeeding early and a National Institutes of Health survey showed that only 18% of their babies were exclusively breastfed by six months.

 

Feeding breastmilk as the first and only food source helps babies grow strong immune systems and a healthy microbiome, the good bacteria in the digestive system. Breastmilk also reduces a child’s chance of getting chronic diseases like asthma and diabetes, and allergies, conditions that are higher in Latinx children.

 

To extend exclusive breastfeeding, it is important to understand why some mothers start, then stop. We can learn about this pattern by studying the experiences of many Latinx women. What are the beliefs and support systems that promote exclusive breastfeeding after birth, and what are the barriers to feeding only breastmilk for six months?

 

One belief that undermines exclusive breastfeeding is the idea that breastmilk alone is not enough. By four months, many Latinx mothers have stopped exclusive breastfeeding and feed some formula and some breastmilk. Feeding ‘los dos” or “both” is more common among women who have been in the United States for longer times. Breastfeeding support is weaker in the United States and formula is more widely available here compared to other countries. Formula advertising also promotes the belief that formula is needed for infant health, despite decades of scientific research that shows that breastmilk is a complete food source for the first six months.

 

Other obstacles to exclusive breastfeeding include time and money. Some jobs do not give paid maternity leave. This means that women must return to work soon after birth. If they want to continue providing their baby breastmilk for six months, they need to pump milk during the work hours, store it, and bring it home which is logistically challenging to say the least. Moreover, some employers do not provide the legally required, appropriate pumping spaces and break time. This is often true if someone is working a low-wage job or “off the books.”

 

It’s often said that “it takes a village to raise a child.” A “village” or an environment that supports nursing can make an enormous difference to exclusive breastfeeding rates. In Latin America or the Carribean, many people live with their family or extended family. Women observe and often help with the breastfeeding that occurs around them. This type of experiential learning and hands-on support has immense value.

 

Latinx women can find other forms of support however, including Spanish-language breastfeeding groups, in-person or online, or free, Spanish-language, breastfeeding hotlines or maternal mental health hotlines. And after a birth, spouses, family members, and friends can help a mom breastfeed by doing household tasks and baby care, like diapering, burping, bathing, or putting the baby to sleep. They can also help care for other children.

 

Here are some tips for anyone looking to breastfeed. During pregnancy, learn about breastfeeding, birth, infant care, and perinatal mental health through free classes in your language.

 

Montefiore, as a baby-friendly heath system, offers an array of services to support breastfeeding. Montefiore’s breastfeeding and perinatal topics website in Spanish includes Spanish fact sheets, videos, FAQs, listings for Spanish zoom classes, support groups, and websites.

 

• After birth, join in-person or video breastfeeding support group in your language.
• After birth, call this breastfeeding warmline with Spanish options: (646) 965-7212.
• Educate your loved ones about breastfeeding and the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for sixth months. Tell them how they can help you breastfeed by bringing you the baby when they are hungry, and doing other household and baby care tasks so you can save your energy for breastfeeding.
• Speak to your OBGYN, pediatrician, or a breastfeeding specialist.

 

Breastfeeding is a natural act that does not always come naturally!  To help, please share this piece and the resources above with anyone involved in the care and wellbeing of breastfeeding parents.