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| Photo courtesy Anton Nossik |
Breastfeeding
has long been a highly emotional and divisive topic. I would like to be able to
say that breastfeeding in public is now commonplace and totally accepted, but
unfortunately society has not yet got to that point. However, improvements in
education and public perception have been made and these should be celebrated.
Breast vs bottle
The World
Health Organisation takes a strong stance on the importance of breast milk for newborn
babies and young children and states that, "virtually all mothers can
breastfeed". This is of no comfort to those who cannot. Whilst most
mothers would like to be able to make the decision to breast or bottle feed
without fear of judgement, in reality this just is not the case. Those women who
go straight to bottle feeding, or those who try breastfeeding and then switch
to bottle, often feel extremely guilty (or are made to feel extremely guilty) for
not breastfeeding their child. There are others who persevere with
breastfeeding only to find themselves miserable and dreading every feed, which
can lead to issues with bonding with their baby.
Returning to work
For those
who are lucky enough to find breastfeeding both comfortable and easy, it is the
most natural thing in the world. If they are also employed in workplaces that
are supportive and flexible in relation to maternity leave, returning to work,
and breastfeeding or expressing in the workplace, then they probably don't know
what all the fuss is about. But I would suggest that these lucky women are in
the minority.
Benefits of breastfeeding
That said,
there is strong evidence of the benefits of breast milk for babies -
particularly in relation to building immunity, reducing the risk of obesity and
diabetes in adulthood, and, as a result of recent research, increases in intelligence. For the mother the
benefits include helping to lose weight gained during pregnancy as well as reducing
rates of ovarian and breast cancer in later life.
Statistics
A 2012
report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare showed that 90% of
Australian babies are breastfed at birth. This figure drops significantly by
the end of the recommended exclusive breastfeeding period of six months and, while
statistics vary, it appears that only approximately 10-15% of mothers are still
exclusively breastfeeding their babies at six months.
UK trial
In an
attempt to overcome low breastfeeding rates in the UK, on November 13 a pilot scheme was announced. The pilot will take place in two low income areas of England and will offer food vouchers (with a value of approximately AU$340) to
new mothers who breastfeed their babies for the first six weeks.
The study
is aimed at lower income areas where it is feared breastfeeding is
no longer a cultural norm, and has in fact been stigmatised by formula
advertising. In the areas chosen for the study it is not uncommon for new
mothers to never have seen a baby being breastfed. The researchers claim that babies
born into affluent families in the UK are four times more likely to be
breastfed than those born into deprived areas.
The
initiative is clearly controversial with some questioning the use of financial
incentives. However, if the trial is successful, it could be rolled out
across the UK next year.
Breast milk bank
In
Australia, an alternative for mothers who want to breastfeed but are unable to
do so is the Mother's Milk Bank. This not-for-profit organisation, staffed by
volunteers, collects, screens, pasteurises and distributes donated human milk
to mothers who are unable to supply their own milk to their babies, or who
develop problems with lactation and require support to continue to breastfeed
their babies.
Currently
operating out of Northern NSW, it is the aim of the Mother's Milk Bank to facilitate
the introduction of a network of banks around Australia within 10 years.
We are all for anything that keeps mothers and babies happy and healthy.
