Breastfeeding Habits in the First 18 Months: A Current Snapshot Between Italy and Spain

Breastfeeding is a deeply instinctive and intimate act — one of the first gestures of love between a mother and her newborn, capable of nourishing not only the body but also the emotional bond. It is an experience that transcends centuries, cultures, and places, remaining unchanged in its essence. Mother and baby discover one another, observe each other, and tune in to a dialogue made of gazes, breath, and touch. In that moment, breast milk is not just nourishment — it is presence.

The benefits of breastfeeding are widely recognized by science and promoted by all major international health organizations. Breast milk is a complete, living food that adapts to the baby’s needs, offering valuable immune protection, supporting nervous system development, and contributing to healthy, balanced growth. For mothers, the advantages are equally significant: breastfeeding stimulates the production of oxytocin, which aids postpartum recovery, reduces the risk of certain diseases, and strengthens the emotional bond with their child.

Yet, as natural as it is, breastfeeding is not always a simple experience. Behind the often-idealized image lies a daily reality made of physical fatigue, practical obstacles, and emotional vulnerability. Every mother experience this journey differently — with her own body, emotions, and life circumstances.

To better understand what makes it difficult to continue breastfeeding and how to effectively support mothers during this delicate time, a large-scale study was conducted by Inglesina, in collaboration with the Baby Wellness Foundation and carried out by the Sfera MediaGroup team. The research explored breastfeeding dynamics during the first 18 months of a child’s life, with the aim of investigating:

• Infant feeding habits
• Breastfeeding frequency and duration
• Mothers’ reported wellbeing and discomfort

 

PART 1 – Feeding habits during the first year and a half

In the first months of life, milk is the cornerstone of infant nutrition. The study shows that, while Italy and Spain share a common foundation, significant differences emerge in how breastfeeding evolves — in its frequency, duration, and logistical management.

Key findings

• The average number of milk-only feedings in both countries is about 6 in 24 hours during the first 18 months.
• In the first 2 two months, both countries exceed 7 feedings per day, but the frequency decreases more quickly in Spain
• The duration of each feeding is substantial: during the first trimester, 70% of sessions last between 15 and 60 minutes.

What does the baby’s current diet look like?

In both countries, milk — either alone or combined with other foods — remains the foundation of infant nutrition during the first 18 months. Percentages are nearly identical, indicating a shared cultural alignment on this aspect.

 

The transition from exclusive breastfeeding to the introduction of other foods occurs at different paces: in Spain, it is more gradual, while in Italy it happens more quickly. By 8–9 months, the difference is significant.

 

On average, how many milk-only feedings does the baby have in 24 hours?

The average daily number of feedings during the first 18 months is similar in both countries (5.7 in Italy vs. 5.9 in Spain).

  

PART 2 – Comfort and discomfort in breastfeeding

Can a mother stop breastfeeding because of pain?

Yes. Breastfeeding is a natural act, rich in emotional and biological meaning. However, for many mothers, it comes with concrete physical discomfort: awkward postures, muscle pain, and bodily strain that, over time, can compromise the breastfeeding experience itself.

This section of the study focuses on the relationship between physical discomfort and the decision to stop breastfeeding. The data are clear: for a significant number of mothers, pain is a real obstacle that leads them to reduce or discontinue breastfeeding.
To these physical challenges, we must add an emotional and psychological component — often underestimated — that further heightens the difficulty of the breastfeeding journey.

Key findings

• Over 60% of mothers in both countries report having to change position while breastfeeding due to discomfort.
• The most frequently reported pains concern the back and shoulders (44%), followed by arms and wrists, and neck or muscle tension (31%).
• About 1 in 4 mothers (25%) have considered — or have already decided — to reduce or stop breastfeeding because of physical discomfort.

 

When you feed your baby, do you change position because you feel uncomfortable? 

More than 4 in 10 mothers in Italy (42%) and 3 in 10 in Spain (31%) say they need to change position while breastfeeding because they feel uncomfortable. This confirms the strong impact of posture on mothers’ physical wellbeing.

 

What are the main sources of discomfort during breastfeeding?

81% of Italian mothers — about 8 out of 10 — and 75% of Spanish mothers — 3 out of 4 — experience physical pain related to breastfeeding. The most common discomforts involve the back, arms, and neck.

 

Have you ever considered reducing or stopping breastfeeding because of discomfort? 

In both countries, about 1 in 4 mothers have thought about reducing or stopping breastfeeding due to physical discomfort. 

 

What emotions do you feel or have you felt during difficult moments related to?

Physical discomfort also translates into psychological suffering: 75% of mothers report experiencing negative emotions during difficult moments. The most frequent ones are emotional exhaustion, frustration, feelings of inadequacy, and guilt.

 

Conclusions: key insights and future directions

This research provided an authentic look into the breastfeeding experience during a child’s first 18 months of life, showing that it goes far beyond nutrition alone — it involves the mother’s physical and emotional wellbeing, family organization, and cultural choices.

Among the most significant findings:

• The average duration of each feeding in the first three months is notable — in 70% of cases, between 15 and 60 minutes — indicating a sustained physical effort by mothers.
• More than 6 out of 10 mothers say they have to change position while breastfeeding to feel comfortable, underscoring the importance of posture.
• Physical discomfort — such as back, arm, and neck pain — is very common and often underestimated.
• Emotional difficulties are widespread and linked to fatigue, feelings of inadequacy, and mental load.

The study thus offers a realistic picture in which mothers’ motivation to continue breastfeeding intersects with concrete challenges — often related to physical comfort and available support.

Based on these findings, it has been possible to identify real, everyday needs on which to build new solutions designed to improve the breastfeeding experience. Listening directly to mothers has been the starting point for rethinking tools and strategies that can lighten the physical and mental load that often accompanies this delicate stage.