World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated all around the world from 1 st – 7 th August with the aim of encouraging breastfeeding and improving the health of babies.
A number of organisations will work together this year for the common good to promote the role breastfeeding plays in wellbeing of mothers and babies. Breastfeeding is a choice mum makes, and it has to be the right decision for her and her baby alone. We know from the articles we read, that it can give baby a good start in life due to the antibodies, nutrients and vitamins contained in breastmilk, which can reduce infection and allergies in your little one. Breastfeeding can bring health benefits to you too. The skin- to-skin touch aids mum and baby bonding and it can help burn calories and reduce the risk of ovarian cancer. It also gives you valuable you time to sit, relax and spend time with your baby. However, it is not always right for some mums and babies, and sometimes, the inability to breastfeed can leave mum feeling she has let her baby down. Whatever you decide, then know it is the right decision for you and your little one.
We are extremely lucky at MamaBabyBliss to work with a number of our class Teachers who have worked as nurses, health visitors and midwives. We asked Tracey Carton, our Associate Teacher of MamaBabyBliss classes in Loughborough, and ex-midwife for her words of wisdom this World Breastfeeding Week…
“There has been a lot in the media recently regarding BREASTFEEDING, and whether mothers should be feeding openly in public places. It will always be a hot topic as most people have an opinion on it!
I’m not going to talk about this or discuss the benefits, pro’s and con’s as that information is easily accessible from health professionals, friends or the internet. I would like to discuss INFORMED CHOICE.
As mothers we are often influenced and sometimes pressurised by family, friends, media and culture to “do the right thing”. What we must remember, is that it is YOUR decision as a mother, whether to breast feed or bottle feed, (as long as there is no illness or medical issues which might compromise the health of you or your baby.) Babies will thrive as long as they are fed. It is your CHOICE. Breastfeeding is a 2 way partnership between mum and baby – it has to work for both.
As a Midwife I often observed that if you have a happy mummy because feeding is going well, in general you will have a happy baby who is thriving. However if breastfeeding isn’t working for a mother and is causing her stress, anxiety and worry, it can affect her mental health and self esteem, so maybe then it isn’t right for her.
It is as much about the mother as it is the baby.
As a Midwife I have always acknowledged and supported a mother whether she has decided to breast feed or bottle feed. In my experience Mothers can feel “guilty” and feel that they have “failed” when breastfeeding hasn’t worked for them, or they have decided not to do it, especially if they have tried it and chosen to discontinue.
A MOTHER HAS NEVER FAILED OR SHOULD NEVER FEEL GUILTY.
My advice is do what is right for you and your baby, it is your CHOICE, and enjoy these precious times, babies grow up so quickly.”
You can find out more about Tracey’s classes by visiting her web page here
For more information on World Breastfeeding Week, visit the World Breastfeeding Week Website – worldbreastfeedingweek.org and look out for the hashtag #WBW2017.