The science is clear, breastfeeding is important for infant health, growth and development. However, there are many practical challenges that come with breastfeeding, which are not talked about as often. With the right support and information, most women who choose to, can breastfeed successfully, but accessing the support needed can be a barrier. Actions to support breastfeeding are needed across all levels of society. The World Health Organisation have summarised this in an infographic.
How can we support women to breastfeed their infants?
Creating supportive, respectful and safe communities for mums on their individual breastfeeding journey can help ensure continued breastfeeding success.
As individuals, health professionals and organisations, we can all do more. Here are some ways everyone can support women to breastfeed their infants.
- Offer women encouragement to continue.
Breastfeeding happens more easily when the people closest to the breastfeeding mum support her. Ask her what practical support would be helpful - can you assist with some meal preparation, chores, errands or provide a listening ear?
Supportive and welcoming communities empower mothers to feel comfortable breastfeeding their children wherever they are and whenever they need to be fed, and increases the visibility of breastfeeding, which helps normalize it. Read more about ways to offer to support a new mother who is breastfeeding here.
2. For employees, ensure that workplaces are breastfeeding friendly.
The 3 key elements that contribute to a Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace are:
- Time – Allowing time for a mother to feed or express breastmilk during working hours.
- Space – Providing a private and hygienic space for mothers to feed their babies or express and store breastmilk during working hours.
- Supportive Culture - Creating an inclusive and culturally supportive work environment by having a communications strategy in place for internal and external stakeholders and targeted workplace initiatives that assist in fostering supportive environments for breastfeeding mums.
Read more about how community venues can create a welcoming environment for breastfeeding mothers here.
The Australian Breastfeeding Association has a Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace Accreditation program available that offers comprehensive guidelines and support and employee education that empowers organisations to become advocates for breastfeeding employees, fostering a culture of inclusivity, support, and wellbeing.
3. Everyone can advocate for policies that promote breastfeeding, including appropriate maternity leave and encouragement of breastfeeding.
The Global Breastfeeding Collective (a partnership between UNICEF and the World Health Organisation) has a Breastfeeding Advocacy Toolkit - a knowledge and tool base for breastfeeding advocates.
4. For health services, ensure the baby-friendly hospital initiative and the international code of marketing of breastmilk substitutes are adhered to.
Where can I get help if I am struggling with breastfeeding?
Talk to a lactation consultant, breastfeeding counsellor, or community health nurse. They help parents and caregivers work out the best approach to infant feeding and support mothers to reach their breastfeeding goals.
The Australian Breastfeeding Association has a free 24/7 Breastfeeding Helpline where you can get information and support from qualified breastfeeding counsellors. To access the Breastfeeding Helpline, call 1800 mum 2 mum (1800 686 268).
The Australian Breastfeeding Association also has a free information kit that covers what to expect in the early days and weeks with your new baby. This includes common problems related to correct attachment, cracked nipples, mastitis, specialised information on successful breastfeeding after a caesarean or having twins, and information on expressing and storing breastmilk. You can also create a free account in the mum2mum app and enjoy access to feed and sleep timers, a nappy log and quick links to all national support services.
Given that the global economic loss of low breastfeeding rates has been estimated at over $300 billion annually. We all need to do more to support families so that everyone benefits from breast feeding.
