By now, we’re all familiar with the statistics that support breastfeeding as beneficial for baby, mom and even the environment. Seems like a no-brainer, but if breastfeeding were as easy as it is good, we’d all do it.
As with so many other aspects of parenting, breastfeeding is an individual decision. And many mothers do make that decision to start breastfeeding.
Seventy-five percent of moms start out breastfeeding and 43% are still breastfeeding their babies six months later, though only 13% of babies are exclusively breastfeeding at this stage. This comes from the Office of the Surgeon General, which also says that 58% of African American babies start out breastfeeding and 28% are breastfeeding at 6 months of age.
There are many reasons moms stop breastfeeding early on. Lack of support is high on that list. “Breastfeeding can be a rewarding experience for you and baby,” says a team of board-certified lactation consultants at University of Chicago Medicine. They absolutely encourage moms to seek out support and resources, especially if you are breastfeeding your second (or third or fourth!) baby and didn’t have plentiful support before.
The reality of new mom exhaustion coupled with learning a brand new skill — no matter how instinctive it’s supposed to be — sometimes makes breastfeeding harder than it should be. The isolation of midnight feedings with no one other than your baby to cheer you on can add to the frustration for so many moms.
“New moms need support and information when learning to breastfeed,” according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office on Women’s Health.
Here, we take a fresh look at why support is so important for breastfeeding success — and a couple of ideas for getting just what you need, when you need it most.
Breastfeeding is just like walking…sort of
Toddlers just taking their first steps are learning a brand new skill. They’ve watched every person around them walk, but when it comes time to do it themselves, they still have to work plenty hard to achieve success.
Breastfeeding is similar. Except new breastfeeding moms rarely get the sustained support and attention they need to be successful, while toddlers get confidence-building encouragement with every step. This perspective on the value of support rings true, especially for any parent who has helped a child learn to walk.
Having your baby at a Baby-Friendly USA designated hospital is a good choice, according to the team of certified lactation consultants at UChicago Medicine. Baby-Friendly certified hospitals must follow strict guidelines for providing the best level of care for breastfeeding moms and babies, and that stands on a foundation of support, information and encouragement for the moms in their care.
UChicago Medicine is one of just 600 Baby-Friendly USA designated hospitals in the country.
New AAP guidelines focus on support
Improving support for breastfeeding is the focus of updated 2022 guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics, and creating supportive environments in hospitals and birth centers is vital.
“Breastfeeding can be challenging for new parents, and support from their families, doctors and workplaces is essential. The health benefits are vast and can be viewed as a long-term investment not only in a child’s development, but to public health as a whole,” says Joan Younger Meek, a physician, certified lactation consultant and lead author of the AAP’s policy statement.
Personalized help, plus people to talk with
A big part of breastfeeding success is a can-do mindset, but correct information and technique are important, too. That’s why UChicago Medicine encourages all pregnant people to learn as much as they can about breastfeeding.
This is helpful even if you’re breastfeeding your second child because even though humans have fed their babies since the beginning of time, recommendations do change and it’s nice to have the most current information to support you — and solid facts to bust myths when well-meaning family members introduce doubt.
Consider attending a prenatal breastfeeding class at UChicago Medicine. There are convenient virtual options available.
And, the value of real support from real people can make a huge difference to your experience because breastfeeding is a lifestyle as much as it is a feeding choice. Reach out to UChicago Medicine’s Baby Bistro Breastfeeding Support Group, a free, virtual community where you can share your experiences with other breastfeeding parents and get expert support from a certified lactation consultant.
Finally, don’t be afraid to voice your commitment to breastfeeding to your physician or your midwife and to your baby’s pediatrician. They’ll want you to be successful and may even have some resources and information that can help you along the way.
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