Follow-up to Tom's "Button up and stir" post below. While we're all boycotting Nestle, it might be a good idea to put equal pressure on lawmakers who ignore public policies that would make for healthier, happier families.
Seems clear to me that breastfeeding rates are clearly tied to laws that ensure adequate family leave time.
Read here.
I think you are right, Jean. It's not all just the formula companies. And the problem of adequate maternity leave is part of the larger issue of work/family/personal balance.
ReplyDeleteI was lucky in that I was able to stay home when our sons were babies. Not that we had a fancy lifestyle. When our oldest was born we had one nine year old car, a 13 inch black and white rabbit ears t.v., and we lived in a small rental house. Most of our baby stuff was hand-me-downs from relatives. But at least my husband had a job with health insurance. And I realize that what we had was way more than what a lot of people have, even now.
The article you link has the headline, "It Doesn't Have to be This Hard", and I think that is correct. Workplaces could definitely be more family friendly. But we could also be kinder to ourselves. Sometimes people seem to want to do things the hardest way possible, and are really judgy when others don't take this hard path. I honestly don't remember breastfeeding being as fraught as the article describes. Part of the reason I chose to go that route was that I felt it was less work. I remember my mom putting in a lot of work making formula. She was always careful to wash and sterilize everything, and used boiled water to mix it. It was a daily task. As opposed to breastfeeding, which required no prep, and was always ready. They map out so many rules for young mothers now, do's and don'ts. One of them is that you should never nurse in bed. I did most of the night feedings in bed, laying the baby on top the covers, well away from the edge. I don't think it endangered them. And we both got more sleep. I didn't worry too much about whether they were getting enough. If they had lots of wet diapers, were fairly content, and gaining weight, I figured we were doing okay.
Initiation of breastfeeding is something else that has changed, not necessarily for the better. When I was doing it, it was quite acceptable to supplement with formula until the milk supply came in plentifully, usually took about 7-10 days. Now the hospitals teach "brute force" (thanks to Stanley for introducing that phrase!)breastfeeding; starting when the kid has just barely been born. With no formula or water, and feeding on demand. 7-10 days isn't acceptable. I realize that the delay wouldn't work in areas where formula wouldn't be available or safe. But it's not like that here.
But yes, an adequate maternity leave to regain one's strength and get the baby into a routine seems essential to promoting successful breastfeeding.