A new study shows the amount of education a woman has along with her social standing play a big role in breastfeeding. Highly educated women that have climbed the social ladder are more likely to stick with breast feeding, a sometimes challenging process for new mothers.
Times are changing
“Up until not long ago, maternal breastfeeding was vital for infant survival but things have changed in the second half of the twentieth century. This is mainly due to the arrival of artificial lactation,” explains Juan Ramón Ordomaña, researcher at the University of Murcia, Spain and lead author of the study.
These days formula is easier and quicker. The challenges of breast-feeding for a working woman are great. Few offices have a private spot, other than the public bathroom, to actually pump milk. Not to mention, not every woman can fit that process into her daily work schedule. However, there is a renewed spirit, recent mother’s claim, to return to the basics. To make sure babies are provided the healthiest choices, which is breast milk. According to the World Health Organization breast feeding should last for at least the first six months of a child’s life and provides the best nutritional value.
Change in family structure
“Large families of women living together and helping one another in the “art of lactating” have given way to the nuclear family where the woman increasingly leans on her partner for emotional and instrumental support, rather than on other women.”
Other reasons for the change
Researchers suggest several reasons why education and social status are linked to a higher success rate with breast feeding.
“Providing the mother wishes to breastfeed, working conditions, economic status and greater access to healthcare services probably help to maintain breastfeeding levels.”
Educated women are more likely to read about the topic and are more inclined to listen to their doctor.
