I work for WIC and am an IBCLC and we do promote and support breastfeeding; however, the support and education, or lack thereof, is not the issue that prevents most moms from breastfeeding. It's the deep mistrust of and lack of healthy connection with their own bodies that the patriarchy has instilled, lack of physical, emotional, and financial support after delivery, unresolved attachment trauma, and stress of going back to work and managing everything including now pumping, which in most cases leads to giving up and using formula, even in the most supported moms, and then that often leads to moms giving up entirely on breastfeeding. This is a system and societal issue that is not supportive of the needs of parents and infants. Yet "they" want more babies. Ok. Implement programs to fully support parents (mom and dad) and their babies, however they choose to feed, during the most crucial time of development if we want an optimally functioning future society. It does, indeed, take a village to raise a child; yet we are isolated more than ever.
Let’s not forget that formula companies finance lobbying efforts against parental leave in the US.
I work for WIC and am an IBCLC and we do promote and support breastfeeding; however, the support and education, or lack thereof, is not the issue that prevents most moms from breastfeeding. It's the deep mistrust of and lack of healthy connection with their own bodies that the patriarchy has instilled, lack of physical, emotional, and financial support after delivery, unresolved attachment trauma, and stress of going back to work and managing everything including now pumping, which in most cases leads to giving up and using formula, even in the most supported moms, and then that often leads to moms giving up entirely on breastfeeding. This is a system and societal issue that is not supportive of the needs of parents and infants. Yet "they" want more babies. Ok. Implement programs to fully support parents (mom and dad) and their babies, however they choose to feed, during the most crucial time of development if we want an optimally functioning future society. It does, indeed, take a village to raise a child; yet we are isolated more than ever.
Wholly agree on the barriers and when women aren't breastfeeding, then the alternative must be as safe as possible
“I feel like I’ve taken crazy pills.” Best line. It’s so true.