Mothers who choose to breastfeed their babies beyond the recommended period are more likely to do so because they consider their child's physical and social development to be most important, according to a new study.
The study was conducted by researchers from the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children's Medical Center of New York. The researchers surveyed more than 50,000 U.S. women ages 18-50.
"The three most important reasons that mothers gave for extended nursing were the nutritional benefits of breast milk, the other health benefits of breast milk and the opportunity to build a stronger social bond with their baby," principal investigator Alexis Tchaconas, research assistant, developmental and behavioral pediatrics at the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children's Medical Center of New York, said in a press statement.
In the survey, researchers asked mothers to rank 15 factors related to extended breastfeeding as "very important," "important," "somewhat important" or "not important." Researchers found that apart from health benefits and bonding with their children, the study participants also rated factors like enjoyment, support from spouse or partner, La Leche League support and not having to pay for formula as important influencing factors.
"Although most women felt comfortable discussing their decision to nurse their baby beyond 1 year of age with their child's pediatrician and with their own health care providers, the recommendations of these health care professionals were not identified as being important in terms of the mother's decision to extend nursing," said senior investigator Dr. Andrew Adesman, chief of developmental and behavioral pediatrics at the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children's Medical Center of New York.
Findings of the study were presented Oct. 13 at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference & Exhibition in San Diego.
