What every parent should know about breastfeeding
Opinion: breastfeeding is a wonderful opportunity for natural connection and nourishment for those who are willing and able. Here are some encouraging points every parent or expectant parent should know about the breastfeeding journey.
Breastfeed a baby or child anywhere. Keep a baby close in a sling. Image: iStock, filtered.
World Breastfeeding Week
World Breastfeeding Week is in 1-7 August. The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) says, "WBW started in 1992, with annual themes including healthcare systems, women and work, the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes, community support, ecology, economy, science, education and human rights. Since 2016, WBW is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)." The opportunity to breastfeed really depends on the right employment environment, understanding of a baby's behaviour, support when feeling discomfort, knowledge of the health benefits and other factors. Breastfeeding is also a zero-waste practice that helps the environment. It's not easy. World Breastfeeding Week hopefully brings attention to the needs of families and the ways in which society can better support them.
No shame or perfectionism at any comfortable age
Breastfeeding should not be a source of shame - for those who breastfeed or those who don't. It is an opportunity. Breastfeeding is a skill. Some folks will need help and that is ok. The Australian Breastfeeding Association gives online information, help via a phone line and also meetings. Breastfeeding is a personal experience. It's a sensitive topic. Hopefully it could also be positive.
Please don't rain on the parade of breastfeeding individuals
If you don't breastfeed, let's hope you can be peaceful in an informed choice and also celebrate the freedom of those who do choose this path. Breastfeeding awareness campaigns tend to attract defensiveness from some mothers who only use formula. But these times should be supportive. I worry the formula talk could distract parents away from a deeper look at breastfeeding information. That's just my personal view. Every nursing mother faces challenges of some sort - such as physical discomfort when feeding, shyness in public, juggling with work and the eventual weaning. There are hormones. Breast pads. Cluster feeding. Combining the breast milk feeds and solid foods after six months. There are big decisions to make. So much information exists. World Breastfeeding Week can be an opportunity to answer more questions and concerns.
Juggling work and parenting - including breastfeeding. Image: iStock, edited.
Breastfeeding from the newborn phase and beyond
Guess what. You don't have to stop breastfeeding at six months. Or even twelve months. The World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF recommend the breastfeeding relationship to start within an hour of birth, exclusively breastfeeding in the first 6 months and then continuing breast milk along with food "up to 2 years of age or beyond."
Breast milk can provide energy and nutrition. It prevents illnesses in both child and mother. Everyone should read the above link from WHO because it gives an abundance of information.
I wish I had seen this info before I became a parent. My child has a great intuition and led me in the right direction. But I don't remember feeling quite so informed as a patient in the hospital system. Educate yourself with all the resources that are available. Look beyond the marketing and others' personal opinions.
Weaning can be a journey - long or short. According to the Australian Breastfeeding Association, "The natural weaning process begins once your baby starts to have anything other than breastmilk, including water, juices, solid food and other milks." There is mutual weaning, baby-led weaning and mother-led weaning. Loving respectful feeding is one of the principles of Attachment Parenting. Whichever path is chosen, it will hopefully be an informed choice.
There are lots of opinions out there about when a child should stop breastfeeding. Some thoughts may be based on science, personal experience or cultural norms. Do what feels right for you and your child.
Breastfeeding is an environmentalist issue
With so much love and compassion towards all parents however they safely feed their babies and children, I am excited to become aware of another benefit of breastfeeding. It's eco. That's right. WABA says, "Breastfeeding is a prime example of the deep connections between human health and nature. Breastmilk is produced and delivered without pollution, packaging or waste. It is a climate-smart decision." Have a look at the comparison between the environmental impacts of formula feeding and breastfeeding. This is a really good point. Formula is stored in tins that have to be manufactured. The powder itself would go through manufacturing and distribution. This would all have an impact on the planet. When willing and able, a breastfeeding parent can make a difference for the planet.
It should be very affordable
On the surface, breastfeeding appears to be free. There is no immediate cost for a baby or child to latch onto a mother and drink. In that view, it is more affordable than other ways of feeding. We shouldn't take for granted the apparent affordability though.
Confidently breastfeeding a child anywhere. Image: iStock.
Free to breastfeed in public
In the spirit of avoiding shame, let's celebrate the freedom to breastfeed in public. Cover or don't cover. What matters is that the mother and baby can feel emotionally and physically comfortable. And that the baby gets fed. And the infant or child is soothed. That's what matters.
What does the law say about this? According to the Australian Breastfeeding Association, "Under the federal Sex Discrimination Act 1984, it is illegal in Australia to discriminate against a person either directly or indirectly on the grounds of breastfeeding." Direct discrimination may seem clear. The ABA also gives an example, on their web site, about indirect discrimination where an employee might not have enough breaks to express milk. The ABA gives this quote from Susan Halliday, 1998–2001 Sex Discrimination Commissioner, "For many years it has been illegal under federal, state and territory law to discriminate against breastfeeding women in the provision of goods and services, including service at restaurants, clubs, pubs and theatres and on public transport." Finally, this next quote summarises it perfectly. The ABA quoted the Australian Human Rights Commission - Indigenous Women and Pregnancy Discrimination, FACT SHEET 10: Breastfeeding and Work, "… babies can be breastfed anywhere and anytime."
Here's a big opinion. I believe partners, families and friends should be even more encouraging about public breastfeeding. We expect the broader society not to discriminate. And of course, loved ones should support and not shame. Does a partner express concern about a mother breastfeeding in public? I would be very worried about that sort of shaming.
The medical profession needs a new way of interacting with lactating mothers too. I had multiple awkward experiences where medical professionals tried to hide my breastfeeding. In the early months of parenthood, I was in an Emergency Department (we turned out ok). The staff wondered if my baby might want a feed. I got her onto my lap. Suddenly the staff closed a curtain and walked away. That was strange. I was just feeding her. I didn't understand why they left. This experience happened after the one time we visited the paediatrician, I think after 6 weeks. My baby was desperate for a feed. She wasn't screaming but she was being vocal and I knew she couldn't wait much longer. The doctor told me to go into a separate room to breastfeed my baby. I wasn't encouraged to just quickly feed her as we talked. He didn't show any approval of my idea to feed in the waiting room. I went along with it and fed in the separate medical room because I may have felt exhausted and didn't see much use in arguing. A baby should be free to feed anywhere. The medical industry should do more to normalise it and break taboos.
Breastfeed outside or anywhere. Image: iStock, edited.
Breastfeeding clothes - marketed and fun but not essential
Many women like to wear 'breastfeeding clothing' that would have been designed and marketed for that purpose. However, many 'normal' clothes are perfectly alright for nursing. This tip is important for new parents. Don't think you absolutely have to buy new breastfeeding tops and dresses to look after your baby. It could be fun. But it's not the only option. Let's be conscious of the marketing that would go into that industry.
If you want some nursing clothes, go for it. Try to find sustainable options - especially second hand. There could be real benefits to these clothes. It could reduce nervous feelings and boost confidence when breastfeeding in public. Some styles may closely resemble the outfits you used to wear in a former phase of life. In this way, it could assist in feeling a sense of identity beyond the role of a mother. This all makes sense. These clothes help in fulfilling these needs.
Here are some ways to use regular clothing when nursing. Layer a tee shirt under a wrap dress or top. Have some good cardigans. Wear tees or singlets under a button shirt if that's your style. See? Those are quite versatile styles.
Here's the reality. When you're at home, especially in this pandemic era, you can get away with wearing anything. I would say any separates would be ok. Just not one long dress that goes right up to the top of the neck. That might be the only outfit that wouldn't work. But really. As long as the baby or child can get enough access to drink, that's all that matters.
There's a lot of marketing around breastfeeding-friendly fashion. Some of those products may or may not be sustainable. If it makes you and the planet happy, why not. But you don't have to buy those consumer products if you don't want to.
Breastfeeding clothes are useful but other clothes can accommodate nursing too. Image: iStock, filtered.
Get involved after the week
There are many ways to get involved in supporting breastfeeding. It is more than a personal choice. It is a global issue. The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) suggests opportunities of involvement for academics, advocacy, breastfeeding support groups, donors, employers, environmentalists, healthcare providers, media, policymakers and trade unions and almost anyone. This issue is for more people than the mothers. Society can improve the health of children, mothers and the environment by supporting breastfeeding.
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