Happy World Breastfeeding Week!
I love this week because it’s a chance to celebrate the sacrifices and accomplishments of women throughout history who have nourished our babies using our very bodies. Breastfeeding is such a beautiful example of God’s perfect design and I am so thankful for my journey.
It’s also an important week because, while things may be improving, we are still so far from everyone being adequately educated and supported in making decsions about breastfeeding.
The information given to new parents regarding how they will feed their babies is often still so biased. The formula industry has deeeeeeep influence on the history of pediatric medicine as well as on our (terrible) maternity leave practices.
Too often, when a new mother expresses challenges in her breastfeeding journey, she is told “you can always use formula”…
^ In case that seems like a supportive thing to say………. it’s not :) Not when the mom’s goals are to exclusively breastfeed. Then it’s like saying “you could always quit”. How much more supported would she feel if the response instead was, “Let’s figure out how to help you reach your goals”?
I have experienced the strange bias in my children’s pediatric visits. After discussing how well my child was doing, how his growth and weight gain were superb, and that I had a great support system, my pediatrician still felt compelled to throw in a “Well, you know there’s nothing wrong with using formula. We have plenty of samples if you want to take some home.”
Uh, what?
I am so glad I knew enough about breastfeeding at the time to know that supplementing with formula in the first 6 weeks could seriously affect my supply later on. But how many moms aren’t aware of that when they go in for those first few appointments?
Among social media influencers I see a harmful message along the lines of, “my postpartum depression left my body when I switched to formula.” This is problematic and harmful messaging to women because 1. quitting breastfeeding is not a treatment for depression and you may need actual, professional help and 2. research shows that women are at a HIGHER risk for postpartum mood disorders if they do not meet their breastfeeding goals.
Spreading this awareness is critical to new parents being able to make informed decisions for themselves and their babies.
Here are some of my favorite breastfeeding fun facts you may not be aware of:
When it’s hot out, your body adapts your breastmilk to have more water content to keep your baby hydrated.
Breastfeeding has significant health benefits for the mother, including reduced risk of developing cancer.
When a mom tandem nurses (nurses a newborn while continuing to nurse her toddler), her body gives BOTH children exactly what they need for their development.
Breastmilk has cells that kill germs
When your baby nurses, your body takes input from their saliva to produce exactly the antibodies they need at that time.
Happy breastfeeding!
-Mannah
