World Breastfeeding Week. August1-7 2012

http://www.worldbreastfeedingweek.org/  Happy World Breastfeeding Week.  I wish it were such a normal thing that a "week" was not needed but, as the article points out, only 32% of infants are breast fed until 6 months. Although breastfeeding is natural, it is not always easy so it is not always possible to continue until 6 months. It is especially difficult for mothers who need to have paid employment as most companies do not give much leave or are not willing to make convenient arrangements to encourage mothers to continue to breastfeed, such as being able to have your baby nearby and having breaks that coincide with feeding times.  Other women really cannot, for whatever reason, breastfeed but, aside from breastmilk, breastfeeding requires a mother to hold her baby close when she feeds and sets the baby in a position exactly right to look in mother's face. This is important for baby's security and social development. Those conditions can ALWAYS be duplicated when feeding with a bottle (although it could be father or grandma or grandpa instead of mother) and that will provide some of what babies get during breastfeeding. It is easier to prop the bottle and leave baby in the crib than to prop the breast but it should not be done. Happy feeding for your baby however you must do it.