Part I explored why breastfeeding can help curb the childhood
obesity epidemic. Part II explores why it’s a huge commitment.
It is not easy. Many moms give up because it’s way more
frustrating than we expected. If you’ve ever leaked through your
shirt in a meeting or at a party, you know what I’m talking
about. Ever had mastitis? Shockingly painful. Combine that with
a decrease in sex drive. Breastfeeding suppresses ovulation,
keeping estrogen levels lower. Turns out that nature’s way of
helping us space our births to increase infant survival is also
really irritating to couples. The map below shows the percentage
of babies who are at least partially breastfed through six
months. These babies may also have had other food, formula
and/or water. It does not represent exclusive breastfeeding;
those rates are even lower. (Exclusive breastfeeding = only
breast milk, no additional food or water.) Percent of Children
Who Are Breastfed at 6 Months of Age, Among Children Born in
2007 (Source: National Immunization Sur