The breastfeeding rates here in the States and elsewhere are exceptionally low. The Exclusive Breastfeeding rates for six months are also low…ranging from 14% to 22% depending on location and race.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) offered 19 recommendations for professionals and support groups in the ultimate goal of improving the breastfeeding rates. (“The Breastfeeding-Friendly Pediatric Office Practice,” April 2017) The AAP recommends Exclusive Breastfeeding for the first 6 months followed by 1 year or longer of breastfeeding. In this report the importance of breastfeeding is emphasized “as a public health imperative.”
The huge problem, however, is that without the practice of the Seven Standards of Ecological Breastfeeding—or something very close to it—most mothers will have their milk supply way down before 12 months. This is an exemplary case of demand and supply. Reduced demand yields reduced or no supply.
One of the benefits of Ecological Breastfeeding is that the mother usually has plenty of milk and is able to nurse for a year or longer. Ecological Breastfeeding is also an excellent way to space the birth of babies.
Sheila Kippley
The Seven Standards of Ecological Breastfeeding