We know that breast milk has many benefits for both the baby and the mother, that the milk of all mothers is good and that the World Health Organization recommends exclusively breastfeeding until six months and continue breastfeeding until two years or more
However, despite all this information, Mexico is one of the countries with the lowest breastfeeding rates. Why does this happen? How is the current situation of breastfeeding in Mexico?
The latest reports
Breastfeeding rates in Mexico are very low. Within the document of the National Breastfeeding Strategy 2014-2018, we can find information that shows us:
The National Survey of Health and Nutrition (ENSANUT) 2012 showed the deterioration of the practice of breastfeeding in the country, in the analysis of infant feeding in children under two years it was shown that 38.3% of newborns are placed at Maternal breast in the first hour of life, exclusive breastfeeding decreased from 22.3% to 14.5% according to the 2006 and 2012 surveys and in rural areas from 36.9% to 18.5% in the same period. Only one third of girls and boys receive breastfeeding every year, and only two seventh after two years.
In 2015 a UNICEF report reaffirmed that The average exclusive breastfeeding in Mexico was only 14.4%, making it one of the 20 countries that least practices breastfeeding.
At the end of 2016 we managed to see a positive change, since breastfeeding had doubled to 30.8%. And although it is certainly good news, the number is still very low.
Why is breastfeeding so poorly practiced in Mexico?
There are many different reasons why breastfeeding in Mexico has such low rates, I mention below some of the most common.
Lactation Myths
According to the graph of the National Survey of Health and Nutrition 2012, some of the reasons why mothers did not breastfeed are based only on myths, such as the famous "my milk does not fill" or "I did not have enough milk." Without a doubt, Mexico is one of the countries where there are still many myths and mistaken beliefs about breastfeeding.
Increase in the sale of formulas
I do not know if in other countries it is the same, but in Mexico we are bombarded with advertising of all the formulas that exist in the market. Even pediatricians give mothers milk powder samples when they go to the office.
The fact that the publicity is so great that it speaks of the wonders about the formula has made many people believe that any of them is better than breast milkWhen it is more than proven that breastfeeding a baby is giving him the best food.
Lack of information
From my point of view, this is one of the biggest reasons why mothers do not breastfeed in Mexico. Many women have difficult beginnings and soon give up, abandoning breastfeeding a few months after their babies are born.
Many of the problems that arise during breastfeeding could easily be solved if more talk about them. Some mothers out of fear or fear do not ask or ask for help, and they do not know where to go to be supported with breastfeeding.
Health professionals who are not prepared
"I am looking for a pro-lactation pediatrician"It is a very common phrase in some parenting groups with attachment on Facebook. I have had to read it several times and think, is it really so difficult to find a pediatrician who supports breastfeeding? And yes, yes it is.
One might think that a doctor is prepared and knows everything about breastfeeding but it turns out that it is not. I have read testimonies of mothers who come to the clinic for routine check-ups of their babies, and when asked about feeding, pediatricians tell them that their milk is no longer useful or that it is not enough. And just what I said about the formulas happens, they give a sample to a mother now confused and unsure of doing things right.
Lack of support
Not having support from the family or a tribe of mothers who support and encourage them to continue breastfeeding makes many mothers doubt their ability to breastfeed their babies. It is not uncommon to hear comments from family members criticizing or questioning the choice of some mothers to practice breastfeeding exclusively or extended.
What can we do to raise the numbers?
Fortunately there are always things we can do to support, promote and defend breastfeeding. Let's take that increase in breastfeeding rates in 2016 to motivate us and continue working so that in the future it is not only 30.8%, but May the majority of Mexican babies be the ones who receive the best food that mothers can give them.
Let's talk more about breastfeeding
The best we can do to protect and promote breastfeeding is to talk about it. If we know your benefits, let’s tell everyone we know: to our family, our children, our friends, the neighbor, our co-workers. Perhaps not everyone visits maternity sites, but we do all interact and socialize with other people inside and outside the home. It is not about forcing the issue, simply that if it comes up in a conversation, we are not silent.
Let's normalize breastfeeding in public
In Mexico something very sad and shameful but also very real happens: many people look at breastfeeding as taboo or something that only people with low resources do. It is related as something that the mothers of rural or lower class villages do.
Let's put aside those senseless prejudices and see breastfeeding as it is: an act of natural love for our children and the best food we can give during their first months or years of life.
Let's demand better maternity leave
In Mexico there are two types of maternity leave, one of 84 days and another of 90, so the maximum time that mothers can aspire to spend time with their babies is less than two months. By the time your baby turns three months, most are already back in their jobs. How do we expect breastfeeding to continue and be exclusive during the first six months? We need laws and policies that empower mothers and help continue breastfeeding.
What we want? First, a longer maternity leave. Secondly, that assigning a lactarium or area so that breastfeeding mothers can express milk is mandatory for all companies. And third, laws that protect the right of mothers to breastfeed in public, as it exists in Mexico City.
Other actions that can be done is train medical professionals to promote and support breastfeeding, helping mothers who come to the clinic and have problems with it.
To increase breastfeeding in Mexico we must take part each and every one of us, it is not something that we can leave alone to the government or to the pediatricians or the mothers. It is a work of the entire population, for the benefit of babies. Let us inform ourselves, promote it and defend it.
