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

[ScarletRubies]

I didn't take the time to read the whole thread, so I do apologise for saying something someone else most likely has said. However, I did join the forums just to post on this topic as breastfeeding is a matter near to my heart - literally!

I voted education, but that is not exactly what I intended. I think the single greatest barrier to women choosing to breastfeed, or breastfeeding for longer than 6 weeks, which I believe is the major drop off point, is EXAMPLE. In our communities and our families, we do not see women breastfeeding older babies very often, and feedback from other (non-nursing) mothers is often very negative.

In order for women to value "extended" (ridiculous term!) breastfeeding, as a community we need to support and encourage breastfeeding, so it does relate back to education. The community does not seem to recognise that breastfeeding remains valuable well after the introduction of solids foods. This will be most appropriate from midwives, family health nurses, other mothers and the ABA etc. GPs, other doctors esp. paeds, and other para-medical professionals also need to get on board.

If we believe breastfeeding is essential to the health of the entire community - and I do - then we need to make a concerted effort to change the values we espouse. The campaign to reduce/defeat SIDS is a wonderful example of how a very public and emotive campaign can successfully change the way families behave across the nation. Imagine if we increased breastfeeding to the same statistical level as SIDS has decreased!

I could talk a week about the benefits of human milk for human infants, but most people here will already be very aware of those benefits. I am very happy for you to use any thing I have said in your submission/presentation if it is of value. For what it's worth, I breastfed/feed two children - one to age 3, the other almost 18 months and having 3 regular feeds a day.

[Smoke Jaguar]

Scarlet Rubies, thanks for joining to post that - I really enjoyed reading your input, and completely agree with you!
Example is something that is related to education, but is another aspect again.
When people ask me how many feeds DS still has, they seem surprised that he has more than the 'token' feeds they expect him to have. He has at least 4 feeds, not just for comfort.
You just can't 'win' though, in terms of current public favour - babies are only feeding beyond 12 months (for some people it's 9 months, for some 6, for others it's 3!) are only feeding for comfort, yet comfort feeding is something that we 'shouldn't' do in our advanced society, either! As I am wont to say from time to time, "bite me"
ETA: BTW, as an aside to the idea of subsidising ABA memberships for new mummies, please remember that Health Care Card Holders DO receive a discount, so it's only $35, and you still get a book So, in a way, it IS subsidised for those who are genuinely on low incomes or have limited income support.

[Steph]

Hi ScarletRubies, loved your post - I breastfed my first for 2 years and my second weaned himself at 18 months - almost broke my heart!!! But we have allergies, asthma and irritable bowel in our family. It surprises me that many people don't know the human gut lining takes 2 years to grow and mature and breastmilk is the best defence against damage to this lining which contributes to allergies and illnesses. At nearly 6 and nearly 3 neither of my boys has asthma, although my eldest has mild eczma and the youngest is mildly allergic to peanuts, but I would hate to imagine how much worse it could be if I had not known all the benefits of breastfeeding. Did you know mammals are designed to drink their mothers milk until the milk teeth fall out? I took great delight in telling my amazing facts to anyone who felt the right to criticise me feeding my children when they were "too old". Fancy feeding my babies human milk!! What kind of a mother am I?? Currently looking forward to the birth of my 3rd and that special bond of breastfeeding - lets hope this one lets me lead the weaning!!

[Smoke Jaguar]

Fantastic, Steph! I enjoyed your post, too