It’s widely acknowledged that breast is best for babies for the health of mother and baby but why is it that women are giving it up so quickly? Young women used to being competent and capable in the workplace are questioning why they are failing miserably at something that is said to be such a natural thing to do.
Women who breastfeed in public are shunned, feel embarrassed to talk to friends or their mothers group about the problems they are having due to self pride and are living in smaller nuclear families these days and are often no longer in touch with their mother, grandmothers and aunties who can help them.
Statistics emphasise a lack of support and information for new mothers at what is a crucial time to establish breastfeeding. Women need information and support rather than guilt or pressure says author Melissa Macdonald of “Breastfeeding: Real Mums Tell You How”. “Breastfeeding seems to be a Taboo subject and therefore women simply don’t know that they need to learn how to breastfeed and that it’s not such an easy thing to do. Many are not finding out how to breastfeed or getting support when needed which could quickly resolve any issues or problems they are having.
“If women were better prepared for breastfeeding by learning how to whilst they were pregnant, then they would better their success”. Says Melissa
Author Melissa Macdonald got together with other mothers to document their experiences with feeding their babies and the highs and lows that come with it.
All mums agreed that a book like this was long over due and would be a great help to pregnant women and new mums. “Pregnant women should arm themselves with the basic fundamentals of breastfeeding to give themselves the best chance at success” mum Alison says, “It seems such a natural thing to do, but its not so easy and many women have feelings of failure when they don’t succeed.”
With women returning to work early and leading busier lives than ever before, the mums interviewed all agreed that there is too much pressure on women to solely breastfeed. All agreed that breast was best but they believed that society as a whole was changing and women were no longer only homemakers but were also involved in part or full time work. Many women run businesses from home or are the sole bread winner and this often calls for them to be separated from their babies and therefore a bottle of formula or expressed breastmilk was left for the babysitter to give the baby.
“I had to go back to work early and my husband stayed home to look after our baby” Lisa said. It was therefore necessary for me to give our daughter a bottle early on so I knew she would take it when I went back to full time work. I still breastfed her at night though.”
There’s a lot of pressure put upon women to solely breastfeed but quite often its not an option says author Melissa Macdonald. Feeding your baby a combination of breast and bottle is often what is most effective for mother and baby and the rest of the family. Its important for women to not feel like they are a failure or guilty if they choose to bottle feed. Yes breast is best but sometimes it’s not a realistic option.
‘Breastfeeding: Real Mums Tell You How’ is a book that gives women the encouragement and support they need to feed their babies, not the guilt and pressure that’s so often given to new mothers. The book is available at www.breastfeedingbook.com.au
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