Why are most mums not pro-breastfeeding anymore??

Question

90% of new mums that I have known over the past 3 years have attempted breastfeeding for just a couple of days, if that. What is it that puts new and particularly young mums off the idea??

Answer 1

I am not sure. I've noticed this too, in my capacity as a counsellor (so not specifically working with new mums, but have seen new mums as part of my work)

I wondeer if it is to do with the extraordinary pressure which is put on all women to look perfect. It is increasingly dificult to avoid this pressure. We hear about celebrities such as Catherine Zeta Jones regaining her figure within a few weeks.....yet the information that breast feeding can help a woman to regain her figure, does not filter through.

In the glamorous media world, the function of women is seen as looking beautiful and sexy. Motherhood is increasingly marginalised - and this is worrying, because of the effect it might have on babies and children.

I also think that, certainly in UK, the pressure on the health service has meant that nurses and midwives have less time to support young mothers. The personal touch, which is so important at this time, isn't there as much because health professionals are so over-worked.

My personal experience (my sons are now teenagers), was that I was determined to breastfeed. This was because my mother did not breastfeed me, and I felt that I had missed out on that special time. Also I had some knowledge of psychology and could see the advantages for mother and infant.

It was very hard. My partner had left during the pregnancy and my mother was unwell and couldn't give me any support. I had an emergency caesarean section and was exhausted and demoralised. Breast feeding did not come naturally to me. The nurses seemed a bit scathing of me (perhaps because I was a lone parent, I don't know). One nurse was very helpful (although a bit superior!!) She showed me how to breast feed about five times. My son was sleepy too, but I finally managed to get the hang of it.

I can recommend breast feeding to all mums. It is an amazing, incomparable experience. Don't be put off by the negative stories, even being able to breast feed for a short time will be very benficial for your baby. It helps the baby to build up immunity, as well as being a very soothing and lovely experience.And it is a wonderful experience for the mother. I can't recommend it enough - please give it a try. If it is difficult, please keep trying - you can do it!!

Even to breast feed for the 6 weeks before going back to work will make a difference. I know it isn't easy, but try it.

I breast fed both my sons for several months, and I am so glad I did this.

Answer 2

I tried to breastfeed with my 3rd child and found it very hard I went into a public place and people where talking about me like I was walking in there nude and I was covered you could not see anything. I thought this was the most natural thing in the world. This is the reason god gave them to me. Other people dont feel that way. Breast milk is always better for your baby studies have proved that. Its just really hard to get past what other people are doing. Also a question that I had was... Malls, shopping centers and restaurants have smoking sections but yet there is no place to go and breastfeed but I found a restaurant in OKLAHOMA CITY that had a sign that said not smoking and no breatfeeding. When I asked the waiter he said that it made the customers uneasy to eat while someone was breastfeeding even if they are covered. That is the reason why people stopped breastfeeding.........

Answer 3

breastfeeding is super hard and the first few weeks of life after baby comes home is really difficult.
As a new mother, you are going through a lot of changes and everything is overwhelming and hits you at once.
If you don't have help or support you give up!
You are lack of sleep, you are spending 2 out of every three hours feeding, your nipples hurt, your breast are engorged, you are constantly hungry, you are sore and exhausted from the delivery, the baby is crying..it is endless
You have to have help and support to make it work.
Also there is always the worry that you aren't feeding the baby enough, even though it is perfectly natural for a baby to lose 10% of it's birthweight because it takes a few days to establish milk supply.
everyone will say you are starving your child. under that kind of pressure and stress, it is easy to give up and give in.
I don't think it is necessarily because they are not "pro-breastfeeding"

Answer 4

Maybe a lack of patience. People today want everything right now.

It sometimes takes a few weeks to work out breastfeeding. Rather than continue for a few more days or weeks (at which point breastfeeding is unquestionably *easier* than bottle feeding) to get all the health benefits, mothers give up if they have the slightest problem...

Answer 5

I think with younger mothers it is too trying and also ties them down more. they probably don't get a lot of support from their peers. I have found that breastfeeding is actually the opposite (for the most part). Yes, you are tied down more, but you aren't saddled down with a huge diaper bag full of bottles everytime you walk out the door. It is also really much easier. No measuring or mixing or heating. Also, it is one of the most relaxing things i have ever done in my life. When the baby nurses it cause hormones to be released in the mother that completely relax the mother. With my son, I had to fight to stay awake while nursing and not always managed to. My daughter was more difficult to establish nursing with and had to be supplemented with formula from the beginning, but she's a pro now. Breastfeeding provides so many health benefits to both baby and mother. I think that all new mothers should give it a try. It can be painful if the baby is not latched on right, but once both mom and baby get it down, it is a truly wonderful experience. And you can lead a very full and active life and still breastfeed. I was always on the go with my son. When you nurse in public just throw a lightweight blanket or sheet over you and the baby (clipping to your shirt helps it stay in place) and carry on. I have nursed in the mall, at the museum, in restaurants, at the grocery store, you name it, I have probably nursed there. And I can assure you that I never exposed my self to anyone. I got a few harsh looks, but most looks and comments I got were praise. It is nothing to be ashamed of. In fact you should be proud that you care that much about your baby to try nursing even if it doesn't work out.

Answer 6

Since the 50's when baby formula became the fashionable thing we just aren't seeing as much bf anymore. It has become somewhat of a social stigma and you only have to turn on a current affairs show to see a woman who was kicked off a bus or out of a cafe for doing what is natural and nutritious to a baby. I guess another drop in bf is women are planning a return to work and may not want to mess about with expressing so formula fills the bill for them.
It would be interesting for a study to be done on ppl in aged care to find out how many of them were bf and what health benefits they have received over their bottle fed counterparts. Maybe that would encourage more bf. Of course there are situations where a woman cannot bf and must use formula and thankfully it is a pretty good substitute. You certainly can't pick who was bf and who was bottle fed by looking at ppl.
We need more role models for our youngsters..more women showing it is natural to bf so that the next wave of new mothers will be more willing to try.

Answer 7

i am still breastfeeding at 8 weeks and am pro, but i can see why some new mum's give up because we are all told that it doesn't hurt when in reality it can sometimes, i mean your nipples are sensitive as it is. i also don't think that it is emphasised enough just how much better it is for your baby. my boy has gained weight steadily and i feel proud when any health visitor asks me how i feed him because the are all surprised. besides the few times i have expressed i've found it sooo much hassle sterilising everything, in the middle of the night it's so easy to latch him on and he's instantly happy! new mum's should be encouraged more to perservere because it does get better.

Answer 8

i am pro breastfeeding, but I know that some mums feel that it is tying them down, and that they can't work or go out like they used to because they're forever pumping out breast milk. Or maybe it's a self concious thing? Like breastfeeding in front of the in-laws? I'd feel a bit self concious there.

Answer 9

I think it's because of the self-obsessed culture we live in. After all I know women who are paranoid about their breasts going as flat as spaniels ears - just like the ones who opt for ceasarian to avoid "spoiling" their ladybits (I know I'm polite!). Another reason I think is because it's so easy now to make up formula or buy it ready made, you can sterilise bottles in minutes in a microwave, that sort of stuff. I'm sure there are many new mums that find it too difficult to breastfeed or whatever so I'm not stereotyping everyone by the way. It's just my opinion overall.

Answer 10

Breastfeeding is a blessing to do, cause u have to take the time to want to bond with ur child. this process takes along time. and some women dont have time for it cause they are still moving around alot. when u are young heck the 1st thing u are not going to think about is bonding / being there for the kid. just feed and go. they really dont understand how healthy it is for the baby and them too.