12/01/2025
As an IBCLC, I am intrigued by the steady decline in breastfeeding rates from birth to two years (and beyond).
While “not enough milk” is the largest component for this decline, this is not the same as “low milk supply”. The data suggests that less than 5% of mothers have physiological low supply, alternatively not enough milk is directly correlated to the following:
🤍 the need for better support
🤍 poor guidance with technique
🤍 improper use of pumps
🤍 lack of expertise in latching issues
The decline is not JUST about not having enough milk, it’s about the shift in societal norms, return to work, lack of support, public health initiatives and so much more.
The World Health Organization recommends “exclusively breastfeeding for the first six months, then introducing complementary foods while continuing to breastfeed for up to two years of age or beyond. The longer breastfeeding continues, the greater the benefits”
Canada’s 12-18 months of maternity/parental leave, various OHIP based services and other programs benefit families, but I propose better benefits for feeding dyads because the actual statistics are very disappointing, for the 91% of people who initiate breastfeeding 🤍
