New moms in the United States do not breast-feed their babies.

Approximately three out of four mothers start breast-feeding while still in the hospital, but by the time their baby is 6 months old, just 43 percent are still breast-feeding, said Dr. Richard Schanler, a neonatologist and pediatrician in Manhasset, N.Y., and chairman of the American Academy of Pediatrics' breast-feeding section. And only less than one of four mothers in the United States breast-feeds till their child's first birthday. And those numbers represent only women who do any breast-feeding, said Schanler and Dr. Laura Viehmann, a pediatrician in Pawtucket, R.I. Just 33 percent of mothers exclusively breast-feed to 3 months of age, and only 14 percent to 6 months.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breast-feeding for a year and as long as baby and mother desire after that. Once a baby reaches 6 months old, the mother can start adding in complimentary foods. But until then, exclusive breast-feeding has the backing of medical research. "The physical benefits of breast-feeding are improved with exclusive breast-feeding for six months."

So why don't more mothers breast-feed? Breast-feeding can be difficult to learn, for both mother and child. And American society, according to Schanler and Viehmann, doesn't provide the sort of support needed to promote the practice.

Breast milk contains a rich amount of nutrients, hormones and antibodies, a wondrous combination that acts in concert to promote good health in vulnerable newborns.

Studies have shown that most successful breast-feeding begins within an hour of birth. Unfortunately, that's the time when many hospitals tend to whisk the child away while the mother recovers. Hospital care also can hamper breast-feeding by not giving mother and child enough uninterrupted time together. Newborns often need to nurse every 60 to 90 minutes for a good portion of the day, but new moms in a hospital are constantly pestered by nurses, doctors, administrators, loved ones and well-wishers.

Another point for some is that breast-feeding is not easy. Though it's often described as a natural process, both mother and newborn need to learn how to work together for feeding. During this learning period, babies can become very fussy. If mothers aren't provided solid moral support, they can lose their confidence and abandon breast-feeding, she noted.