What do you think is the biggest barrier to breastfeeding In Australia?

[chocolatecatty]

I voted lack of education, specifically about artificial milk. For one, formula should be know as just that..artificial milk. Does it say that on the tin?

I HATE going to the supermarket/chemist and seeing tins and tins on this stuff in the baby section. It totally normalises artificial milk. It makes mothers-to-be think there's two options for feeding thier unborn babies, an either/or, a simple choice. Like they're both good choices and you must pick one!

I had one young mum tell my mums group she tried bfeeding for a day or so with her 'fantastic milk supply' but then switched to, get this, 'normal milk' as it was too hard. I would have ripped her head off but I hardly knew her and so held my tongue.

The fact that formula is in our faces, and breastfeeding women and ads aren't, leads a lot of young mums to think that it's absolutely fine to use, IMO.

And a close second would be all the different opinions of midwives. I think even if they were trained up in the same way, they'd still pull you aside and give you thier own differing opinions. It was never pointed out to me that I had flat nipples (yeah, I didn't know either!) and I was sent home before my milk came in......lucky for me I scored a very pro-bfeeding visiting health nurse who sorted me out with shields and advice.

[JenSam]

I had a lot of interventions with my sons birth, as a result I needed medication to help my milk come in - during this time he has had to be supplemented with formula to satisfy him. There are always extenuating circumstances to why some babies cant be purely breastfed - it would be nice at this highly emotional time for a new mum to gain support for whatever her decisions are, as sometimes, there are external factors.
I would love to only breastfeed, I am perservering with breasfeeding as I love the connection it brings between my son and I, but I will not let him be unhappy or go hungry if this is not enough. So more support for any decision.

[231203jack]

I have a not been able to breastfeed either of my children for terribly long. The first was 3 weeks and the second less than a week! Both were c sections and all the ideas in the world have been thrown at me as to this being a reason for my inability to breast feed. Nos 1 son and I had huge attachment issues and I remember sitting there in a state crying as he was brought to me for a feed...every time! When I made the decision to go to the bottle with Nos 2 I was so scared of telling anyone the judgements made by friends and family were too much to handle! The second time around I still felt judged regardless of what my situatiion and feelings were. I still get upset at people bangingon about breast is best and those who are so into it and doing it successfully and good on them but spare a thought for those who do struggle! I think people need to be more aware of the effect their words can have on others even unintentionally. But hey I am sure I am guilty myself! It is all a journey of learning for ones self!

[nicolelh]

I think one of the major dramas isn't actually listed at all - it's lack of perseverance!

Yes, there can be major problems with feeding, but so many women seem to just give up ridiculously quickly. I think the root cause of this is the opinion that formula feeding is almost or just as good. IT"S NOT!

I had trouble choosing which one to pick so I went with availability of artificial formula, but I think lack of education of health professionals is real high on that list too. I am always infuriated when reading books on childcare (e.g. kidwrangling) that say "breastfeeding is great if you can do it." But then go on to make bucket loads of excuses which a woman can latch on to (forgive the pun) in order to justify giving up quickly. Whenever you read letters to the editor in popular parenting magazines it's constantly filled with letters from FF mothers saying things like "you shouldn't make us feel guilty" etc. Almost never do they publish a letter from a mother who perservered through problems, or from an expert stating just how much better breastfeeding is.

I mean, the books ought to be saying "breastfeeding can be very difficult, you may experience significant problems while learning, but these problems are worth persisting through, even if they seem insurmountable at the time, because breast feeding is infinitely better for you and your baby and formula feeding should be an absolute last resort. Hardly any of the problems that women experience mean that they "need" to go on formula."

And health care experts should be saying the same thing, instead of recommending the bottle as soon as the baby isn't large and plump.

Next time I read a book that says "breast is best if you can do it, but bottle feeding is nothing to be ashamed of" I think I'm going to put it in the blender. I think tins of formula should have to have a statement on them saying " this product is a very poor alternative to breast milk" or "you should only use this product as a last resort." haha, I know, I know, never gonna happen.

If this, admittedly militant, attitude was more common, then people would think a lot harder before going to the "easy option.' My mother breastfed 3 of us, after my birth was incredibly traumatic, my brother was a sleepy baby who wouldn't take food and my sister was a dream. My midwife told me she was surprised she breastfed, especially given that this was around the time when bottle feeding was really popular. I asked mum, and she said that as far as she was concerned, bottle feeding was not a suitable alternative, and did I really think that her mother, who breastfed 5 kids, would have allowed her to give up? I think that last comment is a very big key. Older generations need to support the younger ones, and perhaps even be a bit militant about insisting that they push through problems, while getting them all the help they need. Breastfeeding is passed down from generation to generation.

[mjg326362]

Wow! This really touches a nerve.....

I had to say education firstly.....if I knew then what I know now, I would have definitely stuck it out! Nobody told me that c-sections can delay your milk coming in.....I didn't know it can take up to 6 weeks to get successfully established.....no-one I knew was b/f so didn't have anyone to ask about it beforehand.....DD was born on a Sunday and I stuck it out 'til Friday then packed it in. Hubby was supportive of me either way, didn't try to influence me. I had the L/C in to visit, midwives trying to help, pumping away merrily......

Having said that, the nurses in my ward had a policy of not showing you how to make up bottles if you were trying to get b/f established. It was only after I made my final decision that they took me along and showed me what I needed to do, so didn't feel any pressure from that angle.

With a bit of experience behind me, and a WEALTH of knowledge now, I'm definitely going to give it a go if I'm lucky enough again.....

As for "artificial milk"? If it wasn't available, there sure would be some hungry babies and suicidal mummies around......not everyone gives up because it's "easier'.

[alphia]

First of all, thank you for doing this Kelly - I am not quite sure where you get the time or energy for all that you do!!
I have to agree with so many of the posts - there are a lot of options to choose from - and I would have to say that many of them are contributing factors to women not pursuing breastfeeding when times get tough.
I have had three children and with my two eldest (who are now teenagers) everything came pretty easy - with the exception of cracked nipples (which paw paw cream is great for) and mastitis! If I didnt have the positive experiences with the first two - I might have given up with my third who is now 8 months old and still feeding strongly (in fact it is a little bit of a battle to get him to eat solids). First of all I totally forgot about day 2!!! That was one of the longest days of my life - my little one was feeding constantly and he was obviously in pain - I knew that I only had colostrum at that point - but I started to feel that something was wrong - thank God I had a midwife who came in and told me all was normal. I believe in demand breastfeeding - so when Addison was feeding every 2 hours I felt that I might not have enough milk. My insecurities were not helped by the health professionals - but rather they were made worse - with conflicting advice and some who were just rude! Handling my breasts like they were not a part of my body - but just some object. In the end I closed my door (I gave birth within a hospital) and told everyone to leave me alone. I fed Addison lying down - rather than in the position I was told I must feed him in - and as I relaxed and rested - he relaxed and fed. I had one midwife come in and tell me I was a "clever girl" for feeding him while laying down and another telling me to get up - I told her (in a nice way) to get out.
The only advice I can give to women who are struggling is to trust in their bodies and to expect that there will be hurdles to overcome - but it is worth it. Breastfeeding is one of the experiences in my life that I have treasured almost every moment of. Even in the middle of the night when I am totally exhausted

[alphia]

Really quick - before I forget - as my brain is prone to do so often. Reading various posts a question has been posted as to why some women are choosing not to feed outright. When I conducted research into childbirth - breastfeeding obviously came up - but it was not central to my research. What I found was the women who chose not to feed did so for one of two reasons. First of all, was aesthetic purposes (they didnt want their breasts to sag). Second, they did not feel comfortable with the idea of breastfeeding - these particular women had a real divide between mind and body if you know what I mean. I think part of this comes from the many images and discourses out there of the faulty body of the woman. So many women just do not feel confidence in their bodies! (I am speaking here about women who choose whilst they are pregnant that they will not breast feed their babies)

[mipsy]

Haven't posted for a while - I have been lucky and had a wonderful little girl, great mother's group, good family support etc etc, but have to put in my two cents worth in reply to this question.

I breastfed my littlie until she was 9mths, by which time we were both kind of over it all. She had no probs stopping at all, she pretty much gave it up herself.

However, in answer to the actual question, accessability of artificial milk is up there as a big reason why b/feeding is stopped so early. Personally, being on a budget meant that breastfeeding was a perfect solution for me - I mean, really, I didnt have to pay for food for my Mousette unitl she started on solids at 6+ months!! Also, I knew it was the best thing for her and apart from a major amount of "ouch" factor during first week we never had any issues. Positive attitude + having to budget = successful breastfeeding!!

cheers all,
Anna

(my little one is a very happy, very healthy, brilliant sleeper, 2 1/2yr old now )

[jala80]

I voted for conflicting advice, I was told I had a low milk supply and there was really nothing I could do, then I was told by another chn that I had enough milk, it was just late to come in but my baby had oral thrush which is why I was having problems.....bub didn't have oral thrush (I later found out from my GP) but just hearing it was enough so I pretty much gave up at that time (I experienced the pain of infected nipples with my first child and was quite upset that I'd have to go through this pain again ). So, if we ever decide to have a 3rd child maybe I'll just listen to my body and my baby and ignore all the conflicting advice out there! I think some of it on my part was being too head strong to seek more advice or support. I'd just had enough of the bf problems! I found it hard coping with a toddler and newborn as well. I found I couldn't get into any kind of routine with breastfeeding my new baby so my toddler was stuck at home and left to do her own thing! I went to the bottle because I'd done it before, knew what I was doing and felt a huge sense of relief when I decided to fully ff. Maybe 3rd time lucky

[Cricket]

I also can't speak for Australian women, in particular, but I have a feeling that things are similar here. I think that the influence/opinions of family and friends is very important to a new mother's decision. This is often where she learns a lot of her own parenting - from her mum. (Not that she can't make her own decisions, of course.) And these are the people she likely be turning to for support and encouragement and advice. She will be visiting with them, and having to nurse her baby with them there, which I would find quite uncomfortable, if I knew they thought I was silly for doing it. On the other hand, knowing that my mother nursed all of us, and always told us that it was best for babies, as well as being cheapest, and always ready, meant that I never really considered formula for my newborns. I knew I would have encouragement and support for my decision to nurse my babies.
I personally don't find the availability of formula so much of a deterent to nursing. Cigarettes, alcohol, and junk food are also available to me, and advertised all over, but it doesn't mean I'll use them, or give them to my kids! I also think that it is important to have good quality formula available to women who find themselves unable to nurse, for one reason or another. (I ran out after 4 months with DD1, after having double pneumonia, and DD2 refused to nurse anymore at 8 months - too young for cow milk.)
Education is also very important, I think. Prospective mothers certainly need to know the benefits of nursing, as well as the potential problems. I've heard mothers who said that their midwife/doctor told them that if something hurts, you're doing it wrong. To me that's misleading. It's going to hurt for a few days. When your milk comes in, it hurts. That's normal. Latching on might be a challenge to get right. (and give resources for support and information) Of course, this is going to be a challenge to present in the right way, so that mothers are not scared off. I've heard it said that for a new mother to know what breast feeding is like, she should try it for six weeks. That will be about how long it takes to work out some of the problems, and to develop a routine of nursing. New mothers should maybe hear advice like that, and be encouraged to hang in there through those first few rough weeks. And if after six weeks, they still are frustrated, uncomfortable, and in pain, I personally think they should feel no guilt about switching to a good quality formula. They gave it a good shot, and gave their baby some of the most important benefits of nursing. Struggling for longer than that with nursing, I think, can become counter-productive.
One final thing that I find a deterent to nursing is the idea of having boobs flapping around in public. Boobs are private, and the lack of availability of clean, comfortable, private nursing rooms definitely makes nursing difficult. Especially for a new, first-time mum, trying to learn how to nurse, or for a mum with a highly distractable infant, feeding a baby in public is challenging! When I had DD1, if I was out with her for an afternoon, I would take her to the car, and drive to a remote location, so I could nurse in privacy! With DD2, I relaxed a little, but still, nice, private rooms are few and far between, and they would make things a lot easier!
Anyways, I hope you can make sense of my long rambling, and I hope it is of some use to you! Thanks!

[Amanda_Jane78]

I found that the education here (Canberra) is quite good... I do have quite a good support network though and am very lucky in that regard!

I think what will be hard for me this time, is the need to go back to work... I am hoping to be able to express, but if the need to go back to work wasn't so important and places of employment set up some way bf'ing mothers could take time out during the day to express or run home to feed bubs, it would be a great help.

I will be discussing this issue in my workplace prior to me going on Mat leave.

[Bundymumof2]

Hi All
I dont have the time to go into great detail and jump on my pro-breastfeeding band wagon. However I just wanted to tell you what I think is the biggest issue with breastfeeding (Wel to me anyway) I have a bub who is 16 and breastfed. I am studying a nursing degree and really need to go back to work for financial reasons. I live in a town with no friends or family so need to put my kids in childcare, yet im told that I cant send Expressed Breast Milk to child care, what the????

My other problem is that lets say I found a daycare that would allow me to send breatmilk there, what am i supposed to do? My work wont allow me to keep going off and express milk? Wouldnt it be great if they did??/