Humans have been successfully breastfeeding for thousands of years; however, it does look like a lot of mothers are struggling to meet their breastfeeding goals in recent times. Why is it so difficult for women now given the fact that breastfeeding is threaded in our culture!
Humans have been successfully breastfeeding for thousands of years; however, it does look like a lot of mothers are struggling to meet their breastfeeding goals in the recent times. Why is it so difficult for women now given the fact that breastfeeding is threaded in our culture!
It does look like glorified! Amidst the fear mongering formula marketing on one end and over glorifying breastfeeding on the other, it is imperative for mothers & mothers-to-be to be aware to be able to achieve their goals.
No, it is not a trend. What seems to be ‘trend’, is just a collective voice of motherhood who is supporting fellow mother saying that she is not alone in this journey, just that it is getting louder by the day.
Ms. S. Kanimozhi
MBA., IBCLC, CLEC (USA), CABCS., MMHI(USA)
International Board Certified Lactation Consultant & Maternal Health Counselor
Although breastfeeding is natural, the learning curve is steep for the new mother & newborn. Even though Breastfeeding was an integral part of our past, we lost evidence-based knowledge since it was considered a woman’s private affair, and lots of myths surrounding it is causing traumatic experience for new moms. And that has cut the knowledge flow to the mothers of the new age.
Fly on the ointment is various myths surrounding Breastfeeding that create hurdles to establishing a healthy breastfeeding relationship. Myths like ‘drinking more water reduces the speed of reduction of pregnancy tummy’ reduces hydration which impacts a mother’s good bodily function to kick-start breastmilk secretion!
A breastfeeding mother needs help in the initial days to establish breastfeeding. In general, first, one or two months is the toughest, the baby might be constantly demanding breasts, but then it changes when the baby learns to suck efficiently and satisfy himself/herself, if the baby couldn’t latch properly sore nipples, bleeding nipples may occur, or Engorgement/overactive let-down may then start. It’s not easy for a new mother to efficiently tackle any or all these challenges. A simple search would fetch millions of answers/ techniques/ solutions. What matters is clearly identifying the unique challenge & providing the right solution at the right time. And that’s why getting timely help from a professional lactation consultant is critical.
The awareness week is not only to educate the mothers & mothers-to-be but also the support system to understand the importance of getting help at the right time. The support system is not just the spouse & the immediate family but the primary health care providers, nurses, and the community itself!
When a breastfeeding complication arises a mother is shattered inside because she feels helpless, and she questions herself a lot “what did I do wrong?” “Is there any way I could get help?”! The most common response is “It is normal to feel the pain. This is how it will be. Are you going to take help for breastfeeding? We never did that! It’s not that complicated!”. And that’s just a start.
Meanwhile, allowing these mothers to get solutions for their problems is the best way a family can support both mother and baby. Support system is the backbone of a new mother and baby, them getting to know about breastfeeding helps the infant and mother to a greater extent. Breastfeeding awareness is highly needed for the support system.
So, if you are related to any new mother/ mother-to-be, educate them and yourself to create a positive impact!
It does take a village to raise a child.
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