Croatia has the highest rate of breastfeeding in the entire world. More than 98 percent of all babies are breastfed starting at birth. Some of the other countries that also have very high rates of breastfeeding include Rwanda, Chile, and Burundi. All of these countries have breastfeeding rates greater than 80 percent.
The UK leads the way in so many sectors, but sadly, breastfeeding is not one of them. In fact, here in the UK we have the lowest breastfeeding rate in the world.
India. In India, mothers commonly breastfed their children until 2 to 3 years of age. Cows milk is given in combination with breast milk though use of formula has been on the rise.
The high proportion (95%) of women that initiated breastfeeding and were exclusively breastfeeding at two months (60%) is consistent with findings from the 2010 Australian National Infant Feeding Survey (96%, 60.3%, N = 28,759) [11].
Poor attachment, "not enough breastmilk for the child", and an unsettled baby were the top reasons for ceasing to breastfeed cited in the Australian national infant feeding survey (by parents who stopped breastfeeding entirely before 6 months).
Breastfeeding prevalence
Most children aged 0-3 years (95.9%) received breast milk. At 2 months: Nearly nine in ten (88.6%) were still receiving breast milk. Three quarters (74.8%) were exclusively breastfed.
Babies from the poorest families have rates for breastfeeding at 2 years that are 1.5 times higher than those from the richest families.
Native Hawaiian (> 99%), Asian (93%), and Alaska Native (92%) women were the most likely to report any breastfeeding, and Asian and Native Hawaiian women were the most likely to report breastfeeding for ≥ 10 weeks (81% for both groups.
It is recommended that you exclusively breastfeed your baby, with no other milks, food or drinks, until about six months. At about six months it is further recommended that you begin to offer solid foods while continuing to breastfeed until 12 months or longer.
No one should try to make you feel you have to breastfeed, although health professionals are likely to point out the benefits of breastfeeding, while supporting your right not to do it.
In strict Islamic regimes, like Iran and Saudi Arabia, breastfeeding in public is forbidden. On the flipside of this law, breastfeeding is also seen as a religious duty. The Quran specifies that babies should be breastfed by their mothers or a wet nurse for approximately two years.
One study of 120 cultures showed that 50 withheld the infant from the breast for 48 hours or more due to the belief that colostrum was “dirty”, “old”, or “not real milk”. In central Karnataka in India, 35% of infants were still not breastfeeding at 48 hours, yet at 1 month 94% were.
Chinese women consider it natural to breastfeed their baby and regard it as a mission to do so [35, 36]. The women in this study were motivated to breastfeed their baby in a breastfeeding culture, but the difficulties they encountered negatively influenced exclusive breastfeeding during the early postpartum period.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF recommend that all children, in both developed and undeveloped countries, be breastfed a minimum of two years, or beyond, and acknowledge that the average age of weaning worldwide is about four years old.
By the 1950s, the predominant attitude to breastfeeding was that it was something practiced by the uneducated and those of lower classes. The practice was considered old-fashioned and "a little disgusting" for those who could not afford infant formula and discouraged by medical practitioners and media of the time.
Concerns about infant nutrition and weight. Mother's concern about taking medications while breastfeeding. Unsupportive work policies and lack of parental leave. Cultural norms and lack of family support.
Myth: Babies who have been breastfed are clingy.
Breastfeeding provides not only the best nutrition for infants, but is also important for their developing brain. Breastfed babies are held a lot and because of this, breastfeeding has been shown to enhance bonding with their mother.
Breastfeeding can help protect babies against some short- and long-term illnesses and diseases. Breastfed babies have a lower risk of asthma, obesity, type 1 diabetes, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Breastfed babies are also less likely to have ear infections and stomach bugs.
Breastfeeding, even just once a day, is worth it.
Your body is regulating your hormones and your endocrine system with stimulation.
Statistics in Sweden, based on information collected in primary care, show that 93 % of all newborns are breastfed 1 week postpartum, of whom 78% are breastfed exclusively.
Second, so long as some preference for sons exists, boys are breastfed more than girls; after the birth of a daughter, mothers are more likely to continue having children (and thus limit breastfeeding) in order to try for a son. Third, by the same logic, children with older brothers are breastfed more.
"It's very likely that these women's own dietary intakes are compromised in that setting. It would be very unlikely if they weren't," says Tarasuk, who notes that breastfeeding itself requires many calories to sustain. "But they're also probably stressed out of their minds."
It stated that according to a new survey conducted by the WBTi, Sri Lanka ranked first among 97 countries globally on breastfeeding rate. The country achieved the first ever "Green" nation status in supporting breastfeeding mothers.
The AAP also states that "There is no upper limit to the duration of breastfeeding and no evidence of psychologic or developmental harm from breastfeeding into the third year of life or longer."
For some people, extended breastfeeding is rewarding and meaningful. It can benefit their health, mental well-being, and bond. It is also a convenient and economical form of nutrition.