Is Breast Best?
The research suggests breast-fed is best, but is there additional pressure that impacts our mental health when things don’t go to plan??
Working one on one with women particularly new mums I am exposed to common pressures and stresses associated with the postpartum period. With so much information available surrounding breast being the best source of nutrients for the first 6 months of a baby’s life, can this expectation be too much for new mums? This will not apply to everyone and it possibly only affects a small group of women however the seriousness of it I believe warrants further support.
I am passionate about women’s health and just as much about children’s health from a nutritional perspective, but at what point do we recognise the possible mental health strain associated with trying to exclusively breastfeed.
Antenatal depression of late has gained some exposure and has been given greater recognition as something that needs to be discussed so women are not suffering in silence. However the breastfeeding troubles and the pressure that can be associated is something I have been exposed to time and time again whether it be first, second or third time mums.
From a naturopathic perspective the main suggestions to increase milk supply focus on nutrients and adequate rest. We then may look further into galactogogues, which help promote milk production however; it can be an unrealistic expectation for new mums to get adequate rest and to work on dietary inclusions when focusing on a new baby. This alone can add an element of stress, pressure and guilt when not achieved.
There are a number of reasons why breastfeeding may not work and these can be associated to both mother and baby for example mastitis, painful nipples, post natal depression, excessive weight loss, stress, latch difficulties (Tongue tie, lip tie). Beyond that it may include issues with the mother having to return to work.
We are exposed to the benefits being increased bonding with a new baby, accelerated recovery from childbirth, high nutritional profile, infection prevention, allergy prevention, and yet statistics suggested in 2010 that 96% of women initially breastfeed and at 6 months less than 15% of babies were being exclusively breastfed as per the World Health Organisations recommendations.
The information on the benefits is in abundance but should we be given more information on why and how things may not succeed so we are not setting women up to feel inadequate when it doesn’t go to plan.
What are the obstacles that present for women whom are unable to exclusively breastfeed until 6 months? The world health organisation recommend 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding and 2 years in conjunction with foods – but yet in society today with cost of living many women are returning to work often when maternity pay runs out at 4 months, the chance to continue is cut short as it is no longer sustainable.
Sure it can certainly be an easy process for some, but as a practitioner helping women find their feet with new babies and all that comes with that I would like to see a shift in the information available and reinforce that it is in fact OK for women to choose alternative methods for feeding when they feel their mental health is compromised. If all health practitioners are equipped with information ready to support women with different feeding scenarios we may be able to relieve some of the anxiety through this process. For those women who may be struggling there is support offered on the Australian breastfeeding Association website which offers counselling and assistance when needing to implement alternative plans. A resource that I ensure every patient of mine knows is available to them, which will offer unbiased information on feeding alternatives, as well as mixed feeding options.
https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bf-info/when-breastfeeding-does-not-work-out