External Pressure to Perform When Breastfeeding
August 1-7 is World Breastfeeding Week
The theme of this year is "Closing the gap: Breastfeeding Support for All", which aims to encourage perinatal providers to help eliminate factors that are barriers in breastfeeding and supporting mothers in being able to continue breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding/bodyfeeding frequently has a direct impact on one’s mental health.
According to Moorea Malatt, LEC, PMH-C, on the Postpartum Support International website, there are five main areas where breast/chestfeeding babies can be a risk factor for postpartum anxiety and depression:
The third risk factor: The external pressure to perform
Society tells us that “good parents solely breastfeed”.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) encourages not introducing formula until at least six months.
Both the Whole Health Organization AND the AAP recommend that a parent breastfeed until their child is TWO YEARS OLD.
It can also be hard to see other parents (seemingly) breastfeed so easily, only to experience challenges of your own - where you may then feel inadequate and disappointed.
Data has shown that supplementation helps decrease stress in parents, as well as helps parents have more of an ability to focus on increasing milk supply.
Malatt states, “I’ve rarely seen a parent able to learn and master milk-increasing procedures while simultaneously worrying that the baby is actively starving – without developing anxiety or depression. Formula is an essential tool of lactation professionals.”
Every child deserves a healthy and well parent. Every parent deserves to feel healthy and well.
Whatever your feeding journey needs to look like in order to ensure your health and wellness is more than OK.
If any of this information resonates with you, there are resources to support you in your feeding journey:
Postpartum Support International Support Group - When Breastfeeding and Bodyfeeding Ends Before You Are Ready
Postpartum Support International Therapist Directory
La Leche League website
National Breastfeeding Helpline (1-800-994-9662)
WIC Breastfeeding Support website
