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

[BlissfulMai]

Timing!
We have just gotten home from Antenatal Class number 3 of 4...all about breastfeeding!
The Family Birthing Centre at the Mercy in Melbourne encourages breastfeeding, we had a thorough Q&A followed by a detailed video.
I voted for lack of support/returning to work... cost of living, taking us away from our children...but I would also say that what we are used to seeing we get used to the idea of...and with this overwhelming consumer society we live in, with all the marketing and advertising, why wouldnt women accept formula as a normal way of feeing our children? They claim to be equal to if not better suited than breastmilk... so does this also come under misleading or inadequate information? Are we able to trust Australian Standards of Practice and Advertising to deliver us good, healthy products?

I question this when some ads tell us that sugar coated chocolate breakfast cereals are good for us...ya know?

All the very best for addressing this topic.

I look forward to hearing the outcome.

[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'.

[Gigi]

actually, my answer wasn't one of the options.

so i voted for Intervention at birth cos that my 2nd reason. I think when babies are whisked away from the mum to the nursery, a vital bonding and feeding opportunity are lost. When a mother has just had an epidural and all the other things you get put in your system for a c-section, well all that stuff interferes with you being able to feed your bub (if you are even awake). Colostrum can't be undervalued, it IS gold.

OK, my #1 reason for b/f-ing not happening more?
Acceptance in the community.
When i go out in public places, i don't feel like i have somewhere comfy to breastfeed, i don't feel welcome in that way.

Public changerooms might have an old armchair if you are lucky, and they are situated near the sanitary boxes of used "full" disposable nappies, the smell makes me gag and i don't want to be feeding my child near human faeces. So i don't b/f in the parents room. Where else? The shopping centres have wooden benches in the middles of the walkways. So somewhere to feed, very public and absolutely no back support. I feel like a drink while i feed so i find a cafe. The trend is to have hard wooden dining chairs, no arm rests to help me feed my baby.

But the mum who hands her baby's bottle over to heat up in the cafe's microwave, that seems to be much more socially acceptable.

i am going to breastfeed my baby IN SPITE of feeling unwelcome wherever i go in public when i want to feed my bub. I think of the long term health benefits for my baby. Only last year, it became law in my state, that a woman could feed in a eating establishment. Up until last year, it wasn't law. It was up to the discretion of the individual restarant or cafe owner. if a customer complained, you would be asked to leave.

You get told how good it is for the baby, but i didn't realise i would feel "punished" by society for actually carrying out this good thing for my baby. Pressured to put baby on solids so early. My bub is six months old, not showing any signs of wanting solids, yet people around me can't stop talking about the solids.

The fact i have an extrememly healthy bub who hasn't had gastro, a cold or anything like that in six months - does that not count???

It was not easy to start breastfeeding, i endured alot of pain at first. It sure wasn't natural for me, glad i perservered but god it was hard.

being without my car for the first six months of my bub's life has been hard, can't get to ABA support meetings. I need that support to feel good about my choice.

[amy&rafi]

I voted for lack of support/returning to work... cost of living, taking us away from our children...but I would also say that what we are used to seeing we get used to the idea of...and with this overwhelming consumer society we live in, with all the marketing and advertising, why wouldnt women accept formula as a normal way of feeing our children?

i find this a bit of a contradiction...

i don't really feel the cost of living is taking us from our children- we can choose whether we are going to put them in daycare and continue with the standard of living we had before we had children- or we can choose to downsize a little and look after them ourselves.

the only thing we have gotten too used to seeing is women returning to the workforce while they still have small children rather staying at home with them and choosing a simpler lifestyle... the overwhelming consumer society we live in promotes a working mother and father and the children miss out on much more then breastmilk.... we are choosing to accept alot worse things then formula as the normal way of feeding our children- we are accepting daycare workers to care and norish our little ones while we are away playing the socially acceptable 'working mother' role.

breastfeeding friendly workplaces are definatly a good thing- however the lack of them is not a problem- the fact that mum's are back in workplaces when they have children young enough to be breastfeeding is... i strongly feel this is a social (and possibly greed) problem, not a workplace one.

[MamaDuke]

Definately for me anyway, it was the conflicting advice. Whilst I was in hospital it seemed like every shift change would bring a new way of doing it 'properly' and a throw out of the method I had just been trying.
Also, a lot of the midwives I met through my struggles with breastfeeding were rude, uncaring, intimidating and abrupt and in the end I thought 'stuff it, I'm not battling with them any more...I just can't do this' and gave up.
I'm all for breastfeeding and I can understand where they're coming from (the midwives), but they need to be reminded that you catch more flies with honey than vinegar.

Edited to add...No one, not even my friends, told me that it was going to be excrutiangly painful to begin with!
This, to me, was the world's best kept secret!

[MamaDuke]

I know of a woman who tried BFing for less than a week and went to formula because 'it hurt' to BF... as if it's a walk in the park for the rest of us! She had her second baby and didn't think twice, just put her onto formula and EBM - won't bother with actual breastfeeding because 'it hurts too much'. Everyone dances around her so as not to cause offence

See, I along with this other poor mum didn't know this and not once while I was in hospital did ANY health care professional ever say to me that it is going to hurt.
I remember sitting on the chair, toes curled, neck all tense, nipples bleeding, crying my eyes out...I started to resent my baby and absolutely dread feeds.
Maybe the fact that some people are so judgemental stops people like me and this particular lady from seeking advice/help and persevering with it.

[Smoke Jaguar]

MamaDuke, that is my point exactly - it is unrealistic to say that BFing shouldn't hurt, when in fact it CAN hurt initially! The first time round, for the lady I'm talking about, I can sort of understand where she's coming from. Second time round there isn't much excuse - she is surrounded by BFers and her SIL who had a baby that same year as her the first time continued to BF for 2 and a half years. SIL also had initial attachment issues...for about 6 weeks. There ARE some people who take the 'easy' option (I would only say this if I had heard women say it themselves, which I have), and there are those who believe that they are having undue problems because no-one has told them that it can be hard and it can hurt.
This lady doesn't want help, she does believe that formula is as good as human milk - she has fallen for the spiel from the formula company reps (as she was in the pharmacy industry).
Not wanting to talk about specific people, though - I brought it up because I believe it is symptomatic.

[BellyBelly]

If I can expand a little on the education thing - because I would like to know exactly - what would you like to see in terms of education? Because I know as a first time mother, when I was pregnant, I missed going to the breastfeeding session and wasn't phased by it because I thought I would be able to manage without it and it would be easy. How do you get through to people like that? I think the parenting and breastfeeding side of things becomes more interesting AFTER you have had the baby for many people, so what would you all suggest given this scenario?

[Berry]

My thoughts re breastfeeding education question -

Maybe a booklet handed to women giving birth which covers benefits of breastfeeding and ways to overcome typical difficulties, and it would be particularly useful to be given relevant web addresses, ABA contact information - including after hours number, etc.

It helps if the hospital you book in with is "baby-friendly" pro-breastfeeding, because you know that your efforts will be supported and rewarded. My hospital encourages mums to enrol in a breastfeeding class and I found the class wonderful but would have liked a booklet to take away also.

Even though I've breastfed two bubs, I'm eager to have a chance to do the breastfeeding class before I have my third baby as I think refreshers are important too. I think mums who are onto their 2nd/3rd/4th or whatever should be encouraged and praised for breastfeeding too as it seems there is a high BF dropout rate once you've had more than one.

Also, making BF resources more visible for knew mums. I remember asking a MCHN, after having my firstborn, how I could link with a local ABA group. I couldn't find ANY information on the health centre noticeboards and she couldn't even find a brochure for me. I was surprised because I know when my mum was breastfeeding the Nursing Mothers' was well-known and accessible to families.

[Phoenix]

I really think the lack of education on all fronts could be addressed firstly by advertising. We all see those full page glossy adverts saying if we don't feed our child sugary toddler milks they will be anemic have poor immune systems and lack intellegence.
Mayeb a TV ad campaign with celebrities and other mums (Bec cartwright springs to mind) saying that yes it is hard and it can hurt but it is worth it and here is ABA they can help. As well as magazine advertising (not articles because we already get those and lets face it are lot are very contradictory and lack any real info-and many don' t mention ABA!). But it needs to come from the government not ABA (just have ABA as a part of it) so people see this as something the government is trying to improve.
Health professionals need to be educated, most are not, the BF rates among Drs and their wives are equal to the rest of society so they are coming up against the same barriers normal women are. Having health professionals that come into contact with pregnant or lactating women being required to hold accreditation in lactation is a must.
Int he past few years the UK has taken a big stance in trying to increas the BF rate. The problem is everyone is pushing BF BF BF but there is no skill and support to back them up so babies are being hospitalised right left and centre. So the professionals need to be educated and then society needs to be educated.
I talk about BF at my local hospital antenatal classes. I can tell them until I'm blue in the face that BF is not easy that ABA can help if you have a problem or a q's but I cannot make them BF, I can not overcome when our local Dr tells women with mastitis to quit, I can't undo the harm that their mothers or their sisters who didn't BF do by suggesting the mothers milk is no good. I give the phone numbers, information I include the dads (they have their own handout with things they can do) because a mother is 10 times more likely to BF if her partner supports her, but it doens't help when those closest to her or the so called professionals say something else then what I have told her.
Sorry blabbered a bit there so education needs to be for health professionals (who can then pass this onto mothers and support her after birth) and then for society (so mothers can BF at work, Bf in public, BF until 2 as WHO states etc etc- and not feel discriminated against in any way).

[Rouge]

I think as soon as you book into any hospital you should be contacted by the ABA (govt funded) and receive an ABA membership, the ABA can advise you on local meetings in your area and suggest going along so that you can learn about breastfeeding BEFORE you have the baby. There should also be more BF'ing information in the antenatal classes. I think it would be really helpful for women to go along to ABA meetings when pregnant because often women don't go till either after having bubs or after they start having difficulties. Support should start BEFORE bubs is here. Maybe even have an fully qualified LC that discusses breastfeeding as part of hosptial visits? Not to mention education starting in schools way before people are even thinking about having babies. And also for boys too, so that when and if they become dads they know how to support their wives.

I dunno just a few thoughts.

*hugs*
Cailin

[sportychick]

I think that one problem is that you are chucked out of the hospital in many cases before your milk comes in. The private hospital I delivered in had a "5 day stay", but DD was born at 9:10pm and I didn't get up to the ward until 11:30 - and that was counted as day one, and you leave at 11 am on day 5. My milk had only just started then. I managed to BF successfully for 7 months (until DD refused) but I think it was just luck and persistance on my part...

[Danni]

OK, my #1 reason for b/f-ing not happening more?
Acceptance in the community.
When i go out in public places, i don't feel like i have somewhere comfy to breastfeed, i don't feel welcome in that way.

YES gigi! that gets my vote too

[Liz]

I can not overcome when our local Dr tells women with mastitis to quit, I can't undo the harm that their mothers or their sisters who didn't BF do by suggesting the mothers milk is no good.

Completely agree. Sadly mums and sisters are the WORST for this. My mum even now suggests that Tallon has a cold because my milk isn't nutritious anymore. Argh! Say that to someone who is tired and emotional, and well, any confidence they had left is flushed right down the toilet.

I 'think' I've got through to my mum a bit with regards to her only feeding for 3 months. She DID dry up, but she understands now it was because she wsa taught not to feed for more than 10 minutes per side, and scheduled the feeds. So she gets the whole demand feed thing now.

I think with regards to education campaigns... gosh, they could do a whole SERIES on busting breastfeeding myths. Tell people what NOT to listen to. I learnt what not to listen to from all the lovely ladies here on BB, from the ABA class, and from the ABA website. (as a result I've ignored LC's, midwives, MCHN's, GP, and mum! LOL - but hey.. we're still feeding!!) I've been fortunate that I haven't had a need for direct contact with the ABA since, but I wouldn't hesitate if I needed them. Women need confidence that they DO know what they're doing, so they can ignore all these silly comments about the milk not being good enough, and that they're starving their baby.

[maz]

OMG I totally forgot about the toe curling pain in the first weeks..but still its a little price to pay for knowing that your child is recieving the best you can give.
Danni and Gigi - I remember Jed took me out for brunchs shortly after having Vy at a top notch place here in Shepparton and I BF Vy with many of the women just google eyeing me. It made me feel uncomfortable and a bit embarrassed until one lady came over and said it was a beautiful sight to see a mother bfing. She put me on a high all day.
Kelly - bet you didnt expect this can of worms PMSL

[~breeze~]

I picked conflicting advice.
It seems everyone thinks they have the right to tell a new mum what she should be doing. In my experience Brianna was FF pretty much from day one, I tried to BF but due to an operation (breast reduction) a couple of years earlier my milk ducts had been damaged so I couldn't supply any milk to my DD. (although the milk did come in there was no way out).
Brianna was a natural, she attatched & sucked quite quickly but I knew something wasn't right, the midwives kept giving her formula "top ups" & hadn't taken the time to help me see if any milk was coming out... being a first timer I didnt know how to check etc.
I will be trying to BF again with my next baby as this is what I want to do but if I cant again then so be it, (this time I will definatley be asking more questions & making the midwives do the job their there to do...help the new mums) DD is a very happy & healthy 2 year old & thats all that matters to me...

[smylie]

When I was pregnant I bought 3 breastfeeding tops and EVENTUALLY found the breastpads at my local coles for my hospital bag... I was given 2 bottles at my babyshower.

In my mind babies were breastfed unless there was something wrong with my milk.

I HAD no idea so many people had so many problems... but now I think about it... I had not seen alot of babies being fed.

There are so many new babies in the world but we never see them being fed...

WHY DO WE HIDE WHEN WE FEED OUR BABIES???

How are we going to learn if we never see it?

Someone posted that breastfeeding should be in your face while you are watching neighbours i totally agree... then everyone is watching it and it will be NORMAL

At the moment it feels that I am some kind of hero in my circle of friends because i am "still" breastfeeding. some have had cracked nipples and 'couldnt' express 'enough' so 'had' to go to formula, one is so shy had problems and didnt tell anyone almost starved her baby and then after shutting herself away from world to express put bub on formula and thats that, one just thought breastfeeding was weird, wanted to go back to work after 2 weeks and doesnt like getting up at night so formula is 'easier'.

i think more help needs to be available after we get home from hospital, and for it to be a topic that is not a taboo one.... something we can talk about openly if we have a problem.

no one encourages anyone to smoke but everyone is there to help you quit....
no one encourages you to keep breastfeeding because there is nothing wrong with formula.....

[*Elle*]

I think as soon as you book into any hospital you should be contacted by the ABA (govt funded) and receive an ABA membership, the ABA can advise you on local meetings in your area and suggest going along so that you can learn about breastfeeding BEFORE you have the baby. There should also be more BF'ing information in the antenatal classes. I think it would be really helpful for women to go along to ABA meetings when pregnant because often women don't go till either after having bubs or after they start having difficulties. Support should start BEFORE bubs is here. Maybe even have an fully qualified LC that discusses breastfeeding as part of hosptial visits? Not to mention education starting in schools way before people are even thinking about having babies. And also for boys too, so that when and if they become dads they know how to support their wives.

I think you said this perfectly Cailin, why not have it as a normal part of pg, I especially like your sugesstion of having a LC that discusses breastfeeding as part of your regular hospital visits,

I am going through an OB for this baby but I still have a couple of visits with a midwife so why not a visit especially for an LC that way it would be a regualr check up and incorperate BF too I think that is a fantastic idea and I hope that one day they do that, that will most certainly bring education up on BF.

I think advertising is also important, BF is not considered by general public as the normal thing to do, its supposed to be hiden in a closet or a room wayyyyy down a hall in the shopping centre, people are getting offended and making horrible awful remarks to the women who do BF and I think that this needs to stop, if BF was considered the normal thing by society and not a little secret you do behind closed doors then I feel more women would be comfortable feeding in public, I know when BF my DS I would never go out unless I knew he would not want a feed and even then I would only leave the house for a very short time.

IK I am guilty of stopping BF with my DD because it hurt to much, and I think it was because of lack of education as I did not know it was going to be like that, even after BF my DS for 2 months ( I stopped for different reasons ) I still thought it must have been 'me' and something I was doing and it probably was I dont think she was attaching properly, I just wanted to say that it broke my heart to stop with in the first week with her, and I had many abusive phone calls to make sure I didnt forget the horrible thing I was doing to my newborn child, it was not an easy decission for me, but in my case I felt it was better to stop becasue of the resentment I was feeling toward my baby girl, I so understand what you are saying and yes I think that some people do turn to formular to early but I think it really depends on the circumstances and reasons behind it, and again education is the key here in most cases, if I had felt that i was not taking up precious time and that I was in the way I may have asked for more help, and I think what Cailin said is spot on

ETA: I will be giving it my absolute best effort this time, I wont give up unless there is a medical reason of course, but you see having BB as a place of support and referance I am now more educated htan before I had the attitude that breast milk and formular were much the muchness and felt no need to force the issue with myself but now i do know and again its an education thing for me, I have learnt so much in the past couple of years, and i am really excited this time about giving it my all.