While rates of breastfeeding early postpartum are greater than 74.6%, the US Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention's 2012 breastfeeding report card found breastfeeding at 6
months was 47.2%, and breastfeeding at 12 months was 25.5%. 1 Although there are many
social factors that lead to this high rate of discontinuation, the use of medications must be
considered. The average number of different medications (excluding iron, minerals, folic
acid, vitamins) taken per mother in a small American study was 4 throughout lactation (0.9 …

The rates of breastfeeding have continued to increase in the United States; according to the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 76.5% of infants born in 2013
were breastfed and about 49% were continuing to breastfeed by 6 months of age, with
approximately 16.4% of these infants still exclusively receiving breast milk at 6 months. 1
Although there are many social factors that lead to this high rate of discontinuation, the use
of medications must be considered. The average number of different medications (excluding …