Sabotaging the next generation of new mothers

In my advocacy work I hear doctors, nurses and others warn that if we talk too much about breastfeeding we’ll make current moms who couldn’t/didn’t nurse feel guilty. Must we sabotage the next generation of new mothers to keep from hurting someone’s feelings?

It is short-sighted and close to criminal to attempt to keep health information, resources and assistance from one person because we failed at offering those things in the past. Let’s race to get the information and resources to expectant and new moms so that the moms who stop breastfeeding before they are ready become fewer and fewer.

To moms who’ve tried and struggled and felt forced to stop before they were ready, we breastfeeding advocates say to you that we are desperately sorry. Our culture, our networks and resources and our hospitals failed you. Likely, it should not have been the emotional and challenging experience that you endured and it has nothing to do with your determination, your wanting what’s best for your baby and has everything to do with how breastfeeding as an art and as the normal way to feed our babies has almost been lost.

From one person who struggled GREATLY with breastfeeding and was completely unprepared to breastfeed I apologize to you and ask you to join with me to protect these tender and precious new moms and babies. Together we can empower women through preparedness so that challenges are minimized and more moms are able to breastfeed to their goals – whatever those goals may be.

To breastfeeding advocates, if you meet resistance because of the “guilty” claim – ask the person(s) what their story is and then ask them to join you in changing history for new moms and babies and together attack the barriers – and not each other.

Advertisement