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

[Smoke Jaguar]

Are you suggesting that breastmilk and breastfeeding are just not modern enough? That we should have moved on from these mere mammalian practices? That surely scientists are smart enough to improve on a highly sophisticated substance whose composition they still barely understand?
If women are making their own choices and using their own brains, and that stops someone from continuing (or even starting) a breastfeeding experience, then I would say that those brains aren't getting enough exercise. ABM is not the ideal substitute for BM, but it IS a substitute, lacking wet-nurses in our society. It's not cheaper, it's not more convenient. So, if you don't have to (for women who HAVE to preclude breastfeeding from their feeding practices), why else would you? Lack of education of people around you, the professionals you seek out and advise you towards formula for substandard reasons, of yourself.
That is not to say these women are stupid. I am not educated in molecular biology, it doesn't make me stupid, it just makes me uneducated about it.

[Mikenzees mum]

Are you suggesting that breastmilk and breastfeeding are just not modern enough? That we should have moved on from these mere mammalian practices? That surely scientists are smart enough to improve on a highly sophisticated substance whose composition they still barely understand?
If women are making their own choices and using their own brains, and that stops someone from continuing (or even starting) a breastfeeding experience, then I would say that those brains aren't getting enough exercise. ABM is not the ideal substitute for BM, but it IS a substitute, lacking wet-nurses in our society. It's not cheaper, it's not more convenient. So, if you don't have to (for women who HAVE to preclude breastfeeding from their feeding practices), why else would you? Lack of education of people around you, the professionals you seek out and advise you towards formula for substandard reasons, of yourself.
That is not to say these women are stupid. I am not educated in molecular biology, it doesn't make me stupid, it just makes me uneducated about it.

im asuming this was in responce to what i wrote if so then no im not saying all of that i ment exactly what i said and that is some people symply choose it because it what they want

[Pandora]

im asuming this was in responce to what i wrote if so then no im not saying all of that i ment exactly what i said and that is some people symply choose it because it what they want

Hi

I wasn't sure what question your were responding to when you put your original comment, as the question was

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

and "some people symply choose it because it what they want" doesn't make sense in that context.

Do you mean some people choose formula feeding just because they want to - because yes thats true.

[Smoke Jaguar]

Mikenzees mum - the question being asked in this thread is WHY are they choosing it, though. We need to know so that we can find ways to encourage women to 'choose' breastfeeding instead, where physically possible (psychological reasons like previous sexual abuse I consider physiological because of the physiological response a chronic psychological reason will cause).
This thread is aiming to be more in depth and to really ask the 'why', and what can be done to avert the abandonment of BFing. As we have seen from a lot of the posts here, most women haven't just 'chosen' to give up, they have been failed somewhere along the line, so it is not a reflection of them not using their own brains. There really does seem to be a lack of education, lack of professional support, lack of community support, too much deception about ABM being 'just as good as breastmilk', etc.
Kelly's submission goes into these reasons really well - it is a good read, and will take you beyond a one-liner about women just needing to use their brains

[Mikenzees mum]

Mikenzees mum - the question being asked in this thread is WHY are they choosing it, though. We need to know so that we can find ways to encourage women to 'choose' breastfeeding instead, where physically possible (psychological reasons like previous sexual abuse I consider physiological because of the physiological response a chronic psychological reason will cause).
This thread is aiming to be more in depth and to really ask the 'why', and what can be done to avert the abandonment of BFing. As we have seen from a lot of the posts here, most women haven't just 'chosen' to give up, they have been failed somewhere along the line, so it is not a reflection of them not using their own brains. There really does seem to be a lack of education, lack of professional support, lack of community support, too much deception about ABM being 'just as good as breastmilk', etc.
Kelly's submission goes into these reasons really well - it is a good read, and will take you beyond a one-liner about women just needing to use their brains

i realise that im not an idiot i am i was symply saying as i have said before "some people" symply have no reason just made a choice becuase they wanted to I am in no way dismissing what she has wrote or anything like that im just saying that sometimes there isnt a big thing as towhy some wonen choose what the choose

[Pandora]

We need to know so that we can find ways to encourage women to 'choose' breastfeeding instead, where physically possible (psychological reasons like previous sexual abuse I consider physiological because of the physiological response a chronic psychological reason will cause).
This thread is aiming to be more in depth and to really ask the 'why', and what can be done to avert the abandonment of BFing. As we have seen from a lot of the posts here, most women haven't just 'chosen' to give up, they have been failed somewhere along the line, so it is not a reflection of them not using their own brains.

I think thats dead right. In fact I think IK, Mikenzees mum and Kerry are all right, but your just not talking about the same things.

Yes, some women choose to formula feed, and have access to all the information etc. Thats fantastic, it really is, that they had the opportunity to make that choice for themselves.

Its more the women who forumula feed becuase they didin't think they could breastfeed, were told they couldn't, we told formula was better than breastmilk etc that the discussion is aimed at.

If people don't want to breastfeed, they shouldn't be made or pressured to, but women are entilted to accurate information, if they want to be educated. They are also entiltled to know that this information and education exists if they dont

Whatever choice they make is up to them, its arming them with relvant, accurate information, education, and support mechanisms so that someone who really does want to breastfeed, or who has not made up their mind, can be better equipped to do so.

[alphia]

Hi everyone,

Great posts! I think that if the enquiry can hear women's voices and their experiences it would be very eye opening to them. Of course research that is presented usually stems directly from voices - but at times the power is lost. As so many of you have pointed out in your posts - I have been thinking about the idea of an advertisement campaign on breastfeeding. Incoporating many of your ideals - the campaign should express not only acceptance of breastfeeding in public but also express the beauty and empowerment of the female body. I know that sounds a little strong - but it could be something as simple as the Dove campaign on accepting women's bodies as they are (of course we can still critique those campaigns - but I think the message is at base a good one). If society starts to get the reverse message of the female faulty body and also a message about our bodies not being purely sexual objects - I think it might help. Also, images of 'types' of women - I hate to put us into boxes - but often the earth mother is the image that is given for the woman who breastfeeds for an extended period of time. Images of women at work breastfeeding in business suits etc could dispell some of this myth.
I am originally from the United States - and I do have to say that it is actually worse at home - exposing a breast in public in the North Eastern parts of the States certainly caused a few heart attacks (including my own brother). Australia does have its problems, as so many have highlighted, but I do think it is a little more open. For instance I was breastfeeding in public recently and a woman approached me to thank me for doing so in public - to make it more acceptable. She highlighted that by women hiding away it causes part of the problem.
Anyway just an idea!

[Mikenzees mum]

yes i was saying that some women choose formular symply becasue they want to

[kerry]

Ever heard the saying... you can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink... well it applies here. Regardless of education NOT ALL women want to Breast feed. Considering we live in a free society it should be their choice to do just that. Ok the WHO tells us BF is best you will find that most people are not debating that the simple fact is that for some women BF is not something they want to do, for some women it is not something they can do (and don't jump on saying they don't try hard enough, they have tried as hard as they can and reach the point they can't continue past, and then there are the women who try and try for months on end and week after week their baby looses weight so really they have no option.) and for some women it all comes to gether, maybe not easily maybe without any effort. The simple fact is it is not up to anyone to enforce their choices on others. What would you like, it it to become law that all women have to BF??

[Bathsheba]

I wonder what the baby would want if it had a voice. I do support women who need to use formula because they have no other choice.

Discretion: I also am highly discrete when I BF in public... so far I haven't had any negative comments... but this will be the first time I have fed beyond a year... so I guess it's on the cards now I'm going out shopping now BTW... I'll feed discretely and see what happens... I choose not to use the rooms near the toilets either, especially after that physical attack here in Melbourne recently... I'll probably give a feed in the plaza or at the cafe.

ETA: Excellent submission Kelly

[Rouge]

I think what you have said is valid Mikenzees mum. There are always going to be some people that choose it purely because they have that choice. I totally agree. It's something else to think about for sure. I think all the reasons put forth are valid on some level. And its great to see that we are working towards helping more mothers breastfeed should they choose to.

*hugs*
Cailin

[Smoke Jaguar]

OK, I think I see now (lightbulb!) - Mikenzees Mum, would you then vote for the availability of ABM?

[Rouge]

Can I just do a happy dance! I love it when people can actually see other people POV. Even if it differs from their own. This is the way to constructive discussion. This is a more effective approach. I feel like I'm having a proud mummy moment ROFLMAO! And I don't mean that in any way to be patronising IK, I think you always put forward intelligent comments and are tolerant, its just great to see what I've been trying to instill into practice makes me very happy! *ok back to conversation* LOL!

*hugs*
Cailin

[Smoke Jaguar]

Yes, apologies, MM - I thought (after pondering your post for ages) that you were being facetious (If I thought you were 'stirring' I would have left it alone!). There wasn't much detail but I think I can see where you were coming from now
Cailin - humble pie doens't taste too bad, I've discovered from time to time!

[Mikenzees mum]

Yes, apologies, MM - I thought (after pondering your post for ages) that you were being facetious (If I thought you were 'stirring' I would have left it alone!). There wasn't much detail but I think I can see where you were coming from now
Cailin - humble pie doens't taste too bad, I've discovered from time to time!

Sorry i wasnt trying to stirr and i dont know facetious means LOL, Im sorry that my post came across like i was sory

[kerry]

OK cliche time again... You can't have your cake and eat it too... There is no point being dismayed at a society that doesn't accept public (even descreet) BF and yet not be willing to accept some womens choice to FF... it just seems a bit hypercritical.

Not saying that you aren't justified in being p.o'ed about people giving you funny looks or rude remarks,however it feels just as uncomfortable to ff mums to get the negative comments about their choices.

In all honesty I'm 100% if given the choice to bf or ff at birth my DD would have taken the later. She hated bf, and it wasn't through lack of technique on either part, she just didn't like the 'closeness' and once she had her first bottle (at 4 months and after only gaining 300g since birth) there was no way she would ever have gone back to bf.

[kerry]

Ok I said lack of family support... (his not mine) because even while pg I would get.. you aren't going to bf are you, ff is better. I'm intelligent, I research, I was all for BF (just didn't work out) and I just ignored these comments. My X-sil is going to FF... because she doesn't like the idea of her baby sucking on her bbs and she doesn't like anyone touching them... that's her choice, I'm not going to argue with her and yes she has read up on stuff. However she concedes that it is easier to go along with her DH and his family than make a stand also.

While I was bf, even if at home when the x was there, I had to go into a room away from everyone else or there would be huge arguements.

So in my experience and therefore my opinion family support and influence is a big factor.

[MantaRay]

That's awful Kerry. It must have been so hard for you. Obviously family support is another important factor. And of course it also comes back to education again (not for you, but for XDH's family), and also our culture where many see bfing as abnormal. Really, all the factors are inter-related.