Poll finds why mothers do or don’t breastfeed

Interesting new research looking at the attitudes of mothers towards breastfeeding their children has just been released by FertilityFlower.com

The website conducted a poll asking 1,184 mothers across the UK if they breastfed their children and the reasons behind their decision.

Findings showed that 64 per cent breastfed their children, 12 per cent attempted to breastfeed before giving up and 19 per cent didn’t even attempt it.

Of the mothers who did breastfeed their baby, reasons for doing so included helping them to lose weight, bonding with their baby or finding it cheaper than buying formula milk.

Interestingly, 9 per cent who did breastfeed admitted to doing so because they had been pressurised by either a partner, family member or a midwife.

The majority of mothers who didn’t breastfeed said they were concerned about the effect it could have on their breasts, worried it would be painful or felt embarrassed at feeding in public.