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

362.

  • Conflicting advice after birth

    64 17.68%

  • Interventions at birth

    9 2.49%

  • Lack of continuity of care

    44 12.15%

  • Accessibility of artificial milk

    20 5.52%

  • Marketing of artificial milk

    5 1.38%

  • Lack of education

    101 27.90%

  • Health professional influence e.g. MCHN, Paed

    17 4.70%

  • Family &/ friends ideals/advice/expectation

    45 12.43%

  • Going back to work with lack of bf support

    25 6.91%

  • Lack of availablility/affordability of support

    32 8.84%

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

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  1. May 23rd, 2007, 11:08 AM #1
    Jodie259 Guest

    I found that I had plenty of support and offers to help...
    but with sleep deprivation and huge stress - before and after the birth of my child - I just never produced enough milk. I had plenty of help in hospital. I had 4 MCHN come to my home. I spent an entire day at a lactation centre. The help is there... but so is the pressure!!!

    I found the pressure to HAVE to breastfeed even more stressful...

    After my child was losing large amounts of weight consistently (for weeks) - I was more stressed.

    Although formula was reluctantly suggested before I left hospital (because my son was suffering so much)... I wish that there had been more support right from the start to top up with formula and continue with breastfeeding. But it seemed everyone was anti-formula until it became a desperate situation.

    I saw another mother absolutely beside herself because her daughter was constantly crying from difficulties with breastfeeding. I somehow managed to keep myself together in comparision. But I am not surprised by the prevalence of PND when the pressure to breastfeed is so high. I understand it's a great thing... and I don't knock it at all. I am going to give it a 100% go with my 2nd child. And I did everything I possibly could with my 1st. Even the lactation centre that I visited said I should stick with formula.

    I think the pressure to breastfeed from everyone is the biggest detterent. You are nearly made to feel like a 'bad mother' if you don't b/f... which only adds to more pressure.

    EDIT: I did not vote as I felt none of the options were relevant to me. I felt the PRESSURE to have to breastfeed caused stress and anxiety which added to the milk supply problems
    Last edited by Jodie259; May 23rd, 2007 at 11:12 AM.
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