Somedays breastfeeding hits the news. This can be good - means people get talking about it, maybe get chance to air their experiences, good or bad, and be heard. There may be opportunities to let people know just how much support is available now. Sometimes tho, it can just seem to stir up emotions that don't get a chance to be heard well, it can get divisive of women into those who did, or didn't, or tried to breastfeed, and the word "guilt" comes up - people can feel guilty or "be made" to feel guilty. And I really find it hard, bring part of that, and being labelled as being part of that.
I do what I do for lots and lots of reasons. To give support to women to enable them to continue to feed for as long as they want to rather than stop earlier than that because they are struggling without support. To give information to women so they can make the decisions that best suit them, not ones that are solely swayed by advertising/cultural/family pressure. To encourage women to trust their bodies and not feel they have to buy a product - it is possible to view breastfeeding as an anti-capitalist and environmental act. To improve health outcomes for babies and mothers, mentally, physically and emotionally. To listen well to mums and give them space to work out whatever it is _they_ want.
It's been emotive, today's news story (about incentives. not the Philippines disaster in which breastfeeding is a life and death issue. Our bodies are amazing and even if we as mums struggle to eat and drink enough, we will still make top quality milk. Clean water is essential for making up formula, as is power to make sure it's at least 70 degrees when added to the powder, plus power and accommodation so bottles etc can be sterilised.) I'm sure I'll be listening to people's views on the incentives research for a while yet. I was pleased to read the response put out by the charity I work and volunteer for. I believe it is support that matters and needs to be available for all, regardless of what motivates women to breastfeed.
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