Breastfeeding Mums Need To Talk!

Breastfeeding can be an isolating experience for some new mums. First time breastfeeding parents can feel cut off from people if they are unsupportive - but not only that sometimes new mums feel like they are being judged and are on edge that they do not want to be around other people. 

Most mums choosing to breastfeed their babies do so because they have been made aware of the lifelong advantages of breastfeeding. But when it comes to the task itself, many feel they have no-one to turn to for information and advice when things are not going as planned. For that reason, a lot of breastfeeding mums give up breastfeeding earlier than they had originally planned.

I see a lot of new mums on the early struggles of breastfeeding a new baby and is one of the reasons I have signed up to host #TheBigBreastfeedingCafe on 18th May in part with Meleda UK to give a drop in session to let breastfeeding mums on all journies - some who have ended, some who have not yet started to come together and chat.

It is vital that breastfeeding mums have a supportive and informative network of people to ask for help.

And that is where Breastfeeding Support Groups come into their own. In Barnsley, you can find the Infant Feeding Service, with a list of all their local breastfeeding groups.

A well- organised breastfeeding support group will cater for a variety of women from varied backgrounds. It will educate women thinking about breastfeeding whilst they are pregnant and it will also cater for novice and more experienced breastfeeders.

Breastfeeding support groups allow women and their babies to come together in a relaxed atmosphere, to enjoy congenial conversation. Women are encouraged to discuss breastfeeding issues and, as a result, breastfeeding mums help one another to bypass barriers placed along the path.

Breastfeeding mums need to talk about breastfeeding in order to bring their experiences into the wider community. It is only by chatting about breastfeeding in an open and honest way with one another that it will become more acceptable. If more women are given the opportunity to access breastfeeding support groups then breastfeeding statistics will surely rise.

And who knows, maybe today’s breastfed babies will become confident breastfeeding mums of tomorrow, free of the hang-ups prevalent in today’s society regarding breastfeeding!