The incongruity between expectations about breastfeeding and the reality of the mother’s early experiences with breastfeeding her infant has been identified as a key reason that many mothers stop breastfeeding within the first two weeks postpartum. Not surprisingly, some women expect breastfeeding to be easy, but then find themselves faced with challenges. Skills in how to hold and position a baby at the breast, how to achieve an effective latch, and other breastfeeding techniques may need to be taught. 64, 65 Even though breastfeeding is often described as “natural,” it is also an art that has to be learned by both the mother and the newborn. Mothers are also uncertain about what to expect with breastfeeding and how to actually carry it out. 64 Moreover, many people, including health professionals, believe that because commercially prepared formula has been enhanced in recent years, infant formula is equivalent to breast milk in terms of its health benefits 62, 63 however, this belief is incorrect. 62 In addition, qualitative research with mothers has revealed that information about breastfeeding and infant formula is rarely provided by women’s obstetricians during their prenatal visits. public agreed that feeding a baby with infant formula instead of breast milk increases the chances the baby will get sick. 61 Another national survey found that only a quarter of the U.S. 61–63 For example, a recent study of a national sample of women enrolled in WIC reported that only 36 percent of participants thought that breastfeeding would protect the baby against diarrhea. Most women in the United States are aware that breastfeeding is the best source of nutrition for most infants, but they seem to lack knowledge about its specific benefits and are unable to cite the risks associated with not breastfeeding.
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