Breastfeeding Hurdles

Most parents choose to breastfeed their babies. But many are not able to achieve their goal of breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months.

Society puts so many hurdles in front of feeding goals. Throughout pregnancy parents are told human milk is important. Yet very little practical guidance is offered on how to make breastfeeding work. A couple of hours hearing about the "benefits" of breastmilk in an antenatal class does little to educate mothers on how breastfeeding works, what challenges they might face and how to overcome them.

Within hours of giving birth, mothers find themselves learning to help baby latch effectively, looking for signs they are taking enough milk and feeling anxiety about their milk supply. Within days of giving birth, they leave hospital - frequently before milk transitions from colostrum to mature milk - to face the most demanding period at home with limited support and (too often) a regime of topping up with formula and instructions to express after every breastfeeding attempt.

Too many mothers are failed by the system supposed to support them. Where there should be skilled and dedicated guidance by specialists at every feed, mothers sent home might see a visiting midwife once a day.

New parents need access to IBCLC certified lactation consultants in hospital and at home, with a continuity of care throughout the postnatal period. Meeting your breastfeeding goals shouldn't come down to your access to the right help from the right people at the right time.

Discharging babies from hospital before breastfeeding is fully established sets families up for a cascade of intervention including the introduction of formula - which ends the exclusive breastfeeding for six months goal. Other goals are now at risk as confidence falters. Parents feel they have fallen at the first hurdle.