Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
- The Utah Department of Health and Human Services reports 90% of mothers start breastfeeding, but many stop early.
- Work constraints and lack of support are primary reasons mothers stop breastfeeding.
- Support is available through lactation consultants and family networks.
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Department of Health and Human Services estimates that 90% of Utah mothers breastfeed their babies beginning at birth
Not all of those 90% will still be breastfeeding their babies when they are 6 months old, however.
For a variety of reasons, Utah mothers — similar to new breastfeeding mothers across the U.S. — appear to stop nursing in the third, fourth or fifth month of their baby's life. Medical professionals encourage moms to nurse for at least six months, but close to 75% of breastfeeding mothers stop before that.
"I would be surprised if a 3-, 4-, 5-month-old — on their own —stopped breastfeeding," said Christy Porucznik, a member of the International Board Certified Lactation Consultants Commission. She is also a professor at the University of Utah School of Medicine with a focus on women's and reproductive health.
"I can imagine that Mom has been nursing less frequently, and the baby is having an easier time with fluid coming out of a bottle," she continued.
This does not mean Mom is doing anything wrong. Women's advocates, medical professionals and local social service agency staff note that mothers are typically doing what they have to do to continue to support their families.
For example, the Utah Department of Health reports that Utah moms tend to stop breastfeeding their children because of work constraints. They have to go to work, and there are other options to feed their babies, causing mothers to lean toward alternatives for feeding their babies.
But remember, if your employer has more than 50 employees, you have the right to ask it to provide a nursing or pumping space that is 1) not a bathroom and 2) is clean and hygienic. If your employer does not have at least 50 employees, advocates suggest asking anyway. Employers often agree to the request if asked.
There are also women who stop nursing their children because they are not certain where to go when they need support. Breastfeeding a child is a natural process, but that does not mean it is easy to start, maintain and finish.
"Thinking about walking," Porucznik said. "It is natural to walk, but you still had to learn how to do it. The same is true with breastfeeding. Mothers still need help knowing what to do and for how long."
In various locations throughout Utah, there are International Board Certified Lactation Consultants, people who can provide mothers with the support they need to nurse their child for as long as they would like. Some insurance companies cover the time with a consultant, with a co-pay or not.
If your insurance does not cover lactation consultations, nursing advocates suggest looking for support among the woman in your family who have nursed in the past or are currently doing so.
Typically, those women are aware of the various nursing hiccups that come along the way, as well as the differences that can arise when nursing child No. 2 compared to child No. 1. Mothers may also feel more comfortable going to a family member for help, so advocates suggest going that route when you need support.
Providing nursing mothers with professional, personal and medical support is about more than performing an action. It is about letting her know she is not alone when things get rocky.
"Mothers are saying, 'Help me know I'm part of the community still,'" Porucznik said.
