To read the first two parts in this series,
visit ppp.com.hk and click on the
Playtimes
link.
longer-term health benefits. The
study concluded that the idealism
of exclusive breastfeeding clashed
with the reality of a busy family life.
For most, the decision to change to
formula became necessary when the
obstacles, such as physical issues, a
return to work, or simply a desire
to “get their lives back”, were just
too difficult to overcome. Another
common complaint from the
participants was a lack of practical
and compassionate support from
healthcare professionals when the
going got tough.
I still feel guilty that I wasn’t
able to breastfeed my first baby
exclusively, and I often wonder if
I would have been more successful
if I had had more support. I blame
myself for not seeking that support,
when, in fact, I should probably
blame the professionals whose
support I did seek. From the doctor
who told me formula was my only
option, to the midwife who advised
me to do nothing but breastfeed all
day every day if that’s what it took,
at no point did anyone realise that
I needed more options. Healthcare
professionals who routinely work
with breastfeeding mothers have a
responsibility to educate themselves
about lactation and, if they can’t
provide appropriate advice, then
they should know where to send their
patients to find it.
United front
There are a number of women who
simply cannot breastfeed, and for a
small minority, formula is the only
option. For those who can, and who
choose to do so exclusively, the key
to their success lies in building their
knowledge about the mechanics of
breastfeeding, surrounding themselves
with a good support network, knowing
how to access professional support
when necessary, and persevering
despite the cultural and social
barriers that exist. For those who do
manage all of that successfully the
benefits are numerous, and they find
that the experience of breastfeeding
is well worth the effort, for them and
their babies.
I’m currently breastfeeding my
second child, successfully, and it’s
a remarkable experience. Knowing
that I’m giving him the best start
possible has done wonders for both
of us. But after my experience
the first time round, I am ever
so grateful that I can. I wish all
mothers and babies could have this
experience, with all its inherent
benefits, but it isn’t always possible.
At the end of the day, whether we
can breastfeed and do, or make a
conscious choice not to for whatever
reason, or if, despite our best efforts
and intentions, we simply have to
give our babies formula, we are all
exercising our right to choose how
we feed our children. Rather than
criticising each other’s choices, we
should be fighting for those things
that will ensure that we make the
most educated and supported choices
possible: adequate maternity leave,
better trained midwives and doctors,
better post-natal follow up care and
inclusive mothers’ groups where all
that unites us is love for our children,
however they’re fed.
December 2012
65