06/09/2021
https://www.facebook.com/1588817468046594/posts/2905575149704146/?sfnsn=mo
One of my favourite quotes about feeding babies.
During pregnancy we're urged to breastfeed and probably told ‘breast is best’ (I hate that phrase - it's divisive, unhelpful and ignores the fact everyone is just trying their best). But after the birth they find that support, possibly from the health service, partners, family, workplaces and society in general just isn’t there or is even actively working against their intention.
They end up with complications, confused about what to do, or simply finding it all too much, and end up stopping, often before they are ready. In fact, at least 80% of those who stop breastfeeding in the first six weeks are not ready to do so.
And when they do? They often blame themselves... ‘I failed’. Nonsense. Everyone I have ever spoken to who stopped breastfeeding before they were ready tells me a story where someone could have done something, or something could have been different. But instead, our society deflects responsibility and leaves women blaming and even hating themselves for their decision.
In reality there are so many barriers placed in the way. These barriers might be direct: Insufficient or incorrect professional support, a partner stating that they want to bottle-feed their baby, a workplace that doesn’t allow a mother time to express, or derogatory comments from a stranger in public.
Or they might be more subtle: others’ opinions about when babies should sleep through the night, when a woman should ‘get her pre-baby body back’ and misleading promotion of formula - all of which suggest that if you just stop breastfeeding it'll be so much easier.
This isn’t to say new mothers are helpless, bowing to the views of society or giving formula simply because their partner tells them to, but often the pressures aren’t obvious. It’s the subtle messages, day after day. Carrying on breastfeeding can seem just too difficult. And there is always, always someone telling you it doesn’t matter anyway.
This quote is about recognising all of that and instead of focusing on new parents, it's about looking to change the wider environment that they're trying to breastfeed in.
