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 All, as a community educator for the Australian Breastfeeding Association I can truly say this issue is very close to my heart. In my experience (and sorry that at this time I can't quote any supportive data/studies), Mum's who are determined to feed BEFORE bub is born generally have more success when met with any of the issues mentioned in this questionairre. I felt very lucky that the advice I was given before the birth of my first baby was very candid - it is natural, but it is a LEARNED skill that requires practice - and one of my closest friends said - IT IS PROBABLY GOING TO HURT! We have asthma and allergies and irritable bowel in my family and I was determined to do my best to try to avoid this for my children and did much research and found support BEFORE my first baby was born. My determination to do the best got me through mastitis, cracked nipples, engorgement, thrush, reduced supply and lack of let down sometimes. I would also like to point out for everyone one supportive person I met there were twenty who were ready to put me down or question my judgement. As a CE for ABA I do my best to tell pregnant women to find the facts for themselves before birth and find at least one person who has successfully breastfed to remind them it can be difficult, but also has rewards (like Motherhood really). I think if we, as a society, give mothers the opportunity to de-sexualise the breast and do what THEY feel comfortable with we will create a more supportive environment - and how could that be bad?

[Liz]

Steph - the midwife at our antenatal class was convinced I'd succeed just because I wanted to so much, and she knew I'd booked in for an ABA class etc. Definitely what I learned there, and here on BB, helped me succeed. Admittedly I didn't have huge hurdles to overcome, but to have words of encouragement like that makes a huge difference...coz I agree.. there are far more people out there saying discouraging things re breastfeeding than there are encouraging.

[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

[Inanna]

Steph, I enjoyed reading your post - it is just so true... To find support before birth... I had planned a homebirth with my first child so I had my own midwife, thus one on one support. I too suffered with many trials in learning to breastfeed my first baby... I still cringe at those early weeks. I also had an incredibly supportive husband.

My husband has asthma and three of four of his sisters children have asthma and eczema. I was determined as I had educated myself well on the protective benefits of b/feeding to reduce allergies... I copped so much flack from DH family and "well meaning" people. It was incredibly difficult. But I battled on... None of my children have asthma or any allergies thus far.

Interestingly my SIL finally asked about B/feeding and allergies (after openly poo pooing me!) and chose to fully b/f her fourth for the first 6 months (the others had only been b/f for a few weeks)... He is the only one of her 4 kids without asthma and eczema.

Thanks again for your post and good luck with your next birth...

[pernillep]

Wow, there are a lot of influences I think, but I have voted for lack of continuety of care.

I have breastfed both my children. My first till he was 3,5y and my 2nd 2,5y. But with my first it only happened because I have grown up with purely positive talk about breastfeeding. My Mum loved breastfeeding and always talked SO positively about it. My first ended up in nursery for whezzy breathing just after birth and although most of their words were positive of breastfeeding, the conditions were really bad. They basically just treated me as naive for thinking I would successfully BF. They kept him in nursery for breastfeeding problems and I had a crap LC whom I hadn't invited. I just wanted them to leave me alone, so I could get on with my breastfeeding relationship with my son. I didn't doubt my feeding ability for one moment and that got me through. I had to have someone watching me every time I tried to feed, because they thought I was cheating with how much he was feeding. Anyway, to cut a long story short, as soon as I came home he fed beautifully.

So I think that support is sorely missing and that would come naturally if you had continuety of care. But obviously the cares attitude is also vital.

Cheers Pernille

[Steph]

Hi Kelly and MelanieR, this is a fantastic idea as ABA does have the ability and infrstructure to do this - as a Community Educator for ABA, my primary focus is "educating" anyone about the benefits. However it it not so easy in reality - the health professionals are sometimes the most difficult to deal with; eg: the hospital where I had my two (and will be having my 3rd) is VERY pro-breastfeeding, but won't allow ABA to visit new Mum's and leave them with info about what a supportive organisation we are. When I tirelessly refused to take no for an answer and went to the very highest person in the hospital I found out the reason is simply that the health professionals involved felt threatened by ABA "encroaching" on their territory as they are supposed to be the "professionals". I have no medical training, but I am a Mum, I have successfully breastfed 2 babies, I have supported and helped Mum's who have wanted to breastfeed, why can't I and my ABA peers work with health professionals to ensure breastfeeding continues past when Mum's leave hospital? It is not about who is in the right, or who has the best medical knowledge, it is about creating a supportive environment, so Mum's can feel nurtured and valued and have somewhere/someone to turn to in the tough times - parenting can be tough, whether it's breastfeeding, sleeping, discipline, care choices - all of these things would be easier if a Mum felt she had support to choose what is right for her, especially when that choice is the tough road!!
By the way - ABA CE's are ALWAYS available for any event!! We are often looking for opportunities, so if you know a group, or a school, or pregnant Mum's, or health professionals, or anyone who wants to know more - PLEASE contact your local ABA group (listed in white pages) and ask for a Community Educator. ABA needs the help of the community to stay a strong organisation, we are all volunteers and we welcome any help!!!

[Steph]

I love the suggestion of all mothers being given a free 12 month subscription to ABA!
I have had to go to the FMAU a couple of times already(and have to go again tomorrow!)
FMAU=Fetal Monitoring Assessment Unit. Over 4 hours they take your blood pressure average,take some blood and get out on the baby monitor for their heartbeat/movements just to make sure everything is AOK

Anyhow,the ABA is offering a breastfeeding class over a weekend for 1st time mums(well,i guess any mum really)to learn about breastfeeding,what to expect etc..all for $95!

Of course that includes a years membership.

That's all fine and well,anything to promote and help out with mums breastfeeding is only a great thing..but to be 'suckered in' to paying for something that somes free and naturally..i dont know..kinda runs me the wrong way.

I think ABA should give(or offer)a years membership to all mums(no matter what number child)for free,then only if you decide to stay for longer then that year do you pay a membership fee(im sure they need financial help too to keep things going)

We,as Australians can get most medical things(and especially when having a baby)for free on Medicare..so why not also have membership to ABA on Medicare too if a mother chooses too?

Sounds great to me!

Hi Clearbrite, just wanted to re-iterate what IK mentioned - ABA is a not for profit organisation that receives no subsidies (that I am currently aware of). All Breastfeeding counsellors and Community Educators are volunteers, we give up our own weekends for training, nights for meeting planning, time off from paid work to make hospital visits (luckily I have a very understanding boss!), but our organisation desperately needs these funds. When planning a seminar - be it breastfeeding education, or mother's returning to work, we do carefully plan costs of hall hire, tea and coffee and nibblies and the literature handed out as well as hoping to be able to contribute a small amount back to the organisation for advertising etc. It is a difficult balance to strike - but the more people who support ABA, donate, join membership and come to our seminars, the more we are able to moderate pricing! So please talk to your local group if pricing is an issue, but promote as many people as possible to join the organisation or even better - promote government subsidies for ABA!!!

[happygurl06]

For me it was Lack of education. I was very determined to breastfeed, but also very scared. I had a vaginal birth and asked to be able to breastfeed straight away. DD was popped on my boob and she went for it. Unfortunatly she was not attached properly and caused blisters within 2 minutes. Aside from that I had various suggestions on attachment during my 2.5 day stay at The Royal Womens in Melbourne. Then I went home......
My daughter was feeding every 30-45 minutes for 15 minutes at a time. She was having explosive poo's and always crying. My nipples were bleeding and I started to express as it was less painful for night feeds. I rand the breastfeeding advice line in my blue book and asked for help. They suggested I come in to the clinic and get help. I was booked in for Wednesday... 6 days away. I hung up and cried for an hour, attempted 2 more feeds and then called my husband in tears and told him through sobs to get some formula and bottles as I could not do this one more time. My daughter had 2 formula feeds and actually stayed asleep for more than 20 minutes. I then called the maternal help line and they talked me around to trying again... I did, for 2 days. I also cried for 2 days. My sister came over and found me in the bathroom, nearly asleep on the floor... yup, I has mastitis. She popped me in the shower and helped me releive some pressure. I rang the maternal help line and explained what was happening and they advised to express regulary and keep trying, if my temp went higher that 40 (it was 39) then go to the doctors.
That night I changed to formular for good. At 8 am I was called by the breastfeeding clinic to advise a spot was open and I could go in earlier. I hung up without saying a word.
Since then I have found out so much more, such as DD was only getting foremilk, hence the explosive poos and excessive feeding and crying. That I could have only fed on one side for a few days to let my worst nipple heal... oh the list goes on.
My daughter was a hppy child and has had no major health problems, however to this day 2 years on I still wish I had better information and more available help when I was going through this.

[Lorrie]

Without a doubt it is the lack of continuity and education. Also the main one that is missing, I feel, is the fact that no one ever gets to SEE a woman attach a baby and breastfeed anymore. Society expects us to cover up and you dont get to see a baby breastfeed generally, until it is your own. We are having our babies later so that means that our daughters dont get to see their mothers feed either. Our culture prevents us from learning from our peers.

I also feel that alot of carers believe that because you have breastfed one baby you will automatically know what to do with subsequent babies....not so....I am proof of that, with damaged nipples the second time around due to poor attachement. It is a learning process all over again with each new baby especially if there is a big age gap. Carers need to give every new baby and new mum or experienced mum follow up care with attachment and positioning

Cheers
Loretta Frino

[lucky_mummy]

Absolutely the lack of education. WIth more education there would be less birth intervention. We aren't even warned to watch out for the 6 week mark where baby can be a bit fussy, that is the time when most of the people I know give up because they think they have not enough milk, or baby is too hungry, or something silly like that. Why aren't we warned of this time, and told how to get through it?

Linda.

[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.

[Bathsheba]

"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." (Cricket)


Very good point Cricket. I'm complimenting my BFing with formula ATM and after reading Chloe's posted article "Suck on This" (I think it was called) I'm feeling very dubious about what's actually in the stuff as well.

If women were able to donate breast milk just as they donate blood (both life giving fluids if you think about it) and if the donated expressed breast milk (EBM) could be heat treated and powdered wouldn't that be fantastic?! However there has been a thread about "would you use donated breast milk?" (words to that effect) and I was surprised by the number of women who had a psychological barrier to using human milk as opposed to cows.

[Angela80]

I am the first to admit I was against breastfeeding thinking it was vulgar and unnatural - until I become a mother myself almost 3 weeks ago. I believe there is a stimga about breastfeeding in Australia where it is seen as pornographic and explicit in public by many (and I once again I admit I was once one of those people).

For many people (mostly men I believe) a naked breast is purely seen as a sexual object and not one of nourishment and survival.

Apart from that, I personally felt alot of pressure from midwives in the hospital to 'only' breastfeed - however my daughter breastfeeds every 1-2 hours at night, giving me very little sleep to the point that it was affecting my health and milk supply. I now only bottle feed at night and it has been my cure to fatigue and makes my bonding experience with Rachel even more special as I am more alert to be with her. Last night I was blessed with over 6 hours uninterupted sleep and Rachel was happy and alert during her bath time and even managed a little smile as we locked gazes.

I feel that bottle feeding allows my husband to bond with his daughter and gives me a break to revive my body and spirit.

However I do feel that every woman has a right to choose what is best for not only her child but also herself. Breast or bottle - we are keeping our children alive and preparing them to face the world. I just wish that the general public can respect a woman's decision. Let's face it - we all eat in public. Why can't our children?

Let's hope our small voices can create a ROAR in parliament!!

xx

[Phoenix]

Hearing the Committee for the inquiry speak they are very keen to recommend the establishment of milk banks Australia wide. It does make me wonder about how many women are opposed to giving their babies donor breastmilk but have no problems feeding their babies something from a cow. Perhaps because it is a fairly new thing to get used to and in time people may get used to the idea. The WHO lists FF as 4th way to feed a baby after your own milk or expressed milk or donor milk.

We aren't even warned to watch out for the 6 week mark where baby can be a bit fussy, that is the time when most of the people I know give up because they think they have not enough milk, or baby is too hungry, or something silly like that. Why aren't we warned of this time, and told how to get through it?

It is sad that you weren't told about this. As a CE/trainee counsellor for ABA I give antenatal talks at my local hospital. This is one of the points I really try to bring home as it is really common especially at the 3mth mark for women to stop BF because they think they have no more milk.
I just read a very interesting submission that was put up on the website yesterday. It is from a lady in Victoria who strongly believes that BF rates would increase in Australia if women were encouraged to bed share. It was a very interesting read and a lot of what she said made perfect sense.