Some enlightening information for breastfeeding educators

Something has been really nagging at me about the media and research around number of people opposed to breastfeeding in public and the more recent press (and research) which points to community understanding and lack of information for potential (and soon to be and current) breastfeeders.

And it hit me at 2am this morning. As things are wont to do. Grrr.

Anyway, it occurred to me that … well, actually a few things occurred to me.

The first being, and I’ve said this before, that “breast is best” is not actually informing anyone of the benefits of breastfeeding. Although that could possibly just be me who won’t setting for “do it because I said so” and have to know all the ins and outs of why I should or shouldn’t be doing something, from which I will then weigh up both sides, throw in my own beliefs and make a choice based on that.

Serioulsy though, there has been HEAPS of research that shows this is the case.

Notwithstanding the morals (or lack of if you prefer) of the companies that manufacture formula (which is not what this post is about and best saved for one that is), it does come pretty close to matching breastmilk. Althought here are a few teensy things, like replication of DHA that it just can’t do.

Anyhoo. The main thing that occurred to me is that whilst the information pertianing to the benefits of breastfeeding and why it is best is available if you ask for it, the thing I believe is being sorely overlooked is that, for some people it’s just not a priority for them. I do want to say “don’t care”, but that comes across as a little harsh and will undoubtably be read as saying they don’t care about their kids. Which is crap. I’m just saying it’s not important or is irrelevant to them. Read on …

I mean, we pretty much all know that eating foods high in saturated fats, fast- and takeaway foods, prepackaged foods etc etc is not good for out health. Yet millions of people do it.

Not because they don’t know, but because the alternative is not a priority for them.

Same with breastfeeding. Just about every Mum wants what is best for their child. So what is best? Well that is all a matter of opionion and belief and needs and wants and a heap of other things.

Some feel that being with your child 24/7, feeding them only by the boob, cuddling them constantly and acting on their every sound is “doing what is best for my child”.

Others feel it is Mum being at work to provide for the family financially, so the more expensive yet healthier food options, and greater oppotunity to participate in activities is what’s best.

Sometimes Mum needs to do something away from the kids for her emotional and mental wellbeing; whatever that something is (work, business, study, coffee mornings with no kids …)

And this list could go on for days and days and days.

None of these are “wrong” and they are all perfectly acceptable. It’s just dependant on the individual.

Which is often ignored when it comes to breastfeeding education. There’s lost of fabulous information about the health benefits, but consideration for the priorities of people. Especially Mum.

Mums, for the most part, know that breastfeeding has loads of benefits. It’s hard to miss the message. It’s rammed down your throat in any printed material relating to pregnancy and birth, by any remotely medically qualified person, including the grocer and the old lady up the road who loves a chat and a significant amount of family and friends. Definitley hospital personnel (especially the canteen lady), midwives, maternal and child health nurses and more.

My point is, we know it. We can barely escape it. The actual benefits, sure, there does need to be a heap more explaining and informing, especialy for those who need it. It is necessary, it is essential and, I’m sure, would do wonders for increasing the bresatfeeding rates, if that is what is required.

However, whilst we all know to some degree or another, we don’t all priorities it. To be quite honest, some women find breastfeeding so boring as to want to blow their brains out with the sheer mundanity of it. And thats the ones who aren’t depressed. Some feel that, in their personal circumstances, the child’s emotional and mental wellbeing are better served by not being breastfed. For whatever the reason is that they’re not.

Just my opinion. Same as we know eating low fat foods, lots of fruit and vege and all the rest of the messages is “best” for us as adults.

We know it, we just don’t do it.

I think it would be an angle worth taking into consideration when educating on feeding baby.