Breastfeeding needs more support.

Breastfeeding is natural for mothers and babies. They are biologically prepared to do it with only a small minority facing insurmountable barriers.

However, the practical aspects of breastfeeding, the skills and techniques, are learned behaviours which become habitual with practice.

Traditionally, young children would grow up seeing women in their community breastfeeding. They would learn informally how a mother supports her baby's body and the way a baby takes the breast into their mouth. Where breastfeeding is a normal part of life, performed openly and without "shame" or "modesty", children would see women and babies of all shapes and sizes being put to breast.

In our damaged modern society, where women are bearing less children, later in life and in isolation from extended family, the first breastfed child they might ever observe is their own.

We have failed mothers and babies by all eliminating breastfeeding role models from view. Products to shield public eyes from the sight of a baby at the breast have limited even incidental observations of how breastfeeding works.

Pregnant women are left with a vague belief that "someone" will sort that all out for them in hospital. Which leaves them vulnerable to misinformation and poorly skilled support. Short hospital stays, overworked staff and limited funding means some mothers only have support to latch maybe a couple of times before being discharged with their baby in one arm and a breastpump in the other. Instead of guidance and a plan for resolving poor attachment, they are given strict instructions about overwelming schedules to for pumping and topping up.

Parents need continuity of care as they learn to breastfeed. They need time, support and patient understanding. They need a plan in place from discharge through to established breastfeeding. They need access to milk banks, IBCLC s, breastfeeding support groups and affordable breast pump hire. They need online support and face-to-face support. They need antenatal breastfeeding education and peer support. They need doctors who are current in their lactation training.

They need better support.