US Could Take Breastfeeding Tips From Brazil

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Only 16 percent of US mothers breastfeed exclusively at six months, although it is lower for US Latina mothers. However, more than half of Brazilian mothers breastfeed exclusively at six months.

Differences in breastfeeding rates are likely due to much more aggressive breastfeeding promotional efforts as well as much more social and legal support. For example, according to one source, Brazil bans the advertising or promotion of infant formula, and in March 2016, the city of São Paulo passed a municipal ordinance that fines businesses and organizations if they prevent women from breastfeeding in public. Additionally, there are over 200 milk banks across the country for women who can’t produce enough breastmilk of their own.

Unfortunately, many US Latino mothers face social and environmental barriers due to lack of social and legal support in the workplace and in public settings.

In order to increase breastfeeding rates for Latina mothers in the US, it is important to create a culture that supports breastfeeding. The first step is to reduce social and environmental barriers by implementing policies to protect and support breastfeeding mothers in the workplace and in public.

Increasing breastfeeding rates among Latina mothers could drastically reduce obesity rates and improve overall health for mother and infant.

Learn more about breastfeeding in Brazil, here.

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