Phillips Innovations In Women's Health posted the following on Linkedin..
How can we help parents to breastfeed for as long as possible?
A recent survey found that 90% of mothers breastfed their babies for up to 4-6 months. Nevertheless, forty-five percent was not able to extend breastfeeding past six months, although 72% wanted to breastfeed longer than they did. The primary reasons women cited for stopping breastfeeding were lack of milk supply and pain. (http://bit.ly/tnA17Z)
Within the same survey, lack of milk supply was also cited as a reason for stopping breastfeeding by 67% of Americans vs. 40% of women globally.
Any thoughts on the reasons for this? How can we help mothers to overcome obstacles they face in breastfeeding?
We know the many health benefits of breastfeeding, and it seems like parents’ desire to breastfeed their babies is strong. How can we help mothers to breastfeed their babies for as long as possible? What resources do you direct parents to? When advising parents on these resources, do you take into account the recent IRS ruling that breast pumps are now a deductible medical expense?
As a Board Certified Lactation Consultant my answer is:
Education before the baby its born and support after the baby is born.
Understanding the beauty of the human body and the wisdom of the newborn baby, a mother can release many fears related to breastfeeding and begin to think through the what ifs. Babies are born to breastfeed, but not all do. Mothers are made to create milk in sufficient supply, but not all do. Having a Board Certified Lactation Consultant come to your home and spend time assessing the mother/baby dyad and giving guidance and follow-up until all is going well is wonderful first step towards successful breastfeeding.
