It's World Breastfeeding Week. (1st-7th August)
We are at 834 days of breastfeeding and counting. Trust me when I say I am one of the lucky few when I say I had access to FREE skilled support. This support came in the form of my boyfriend Dee who has helped support our journey from day 1. He knew nothing about breastfeeding before Ellie came along- but he soon became our biggest support, professing the benefits to anyone who would listen. It came in the form of my local volunteer lead support group La Leche League Barnet and the lovely Eszter Bove. They still support me now. And when it's safe for them to open up I'll be right back to group. Not because I need specific help but because it's a safe space It came in the form of various mama friends at different stages in their journey- muddling through with me. Vicky Stacey Jasmine Loren Joanna Becky Bethany Beth Samonsta Daniella Saraya Talya Sammie It came from a wonderful volunteer support peer who explained leaps and cluster feeding. It came from amazing online communities- evidence based support groups such as Breastfeeding Yummy Mummies and Breastfeeding Guidance and Support UK which I’m lucky enough to be part of the admin team and support other women. Want to know where it didn't come from? My home HV team, who recommended I go against WHO and NHS advice by refusing Ellie breastmilk to protect her teeth (there’s no basis to this. Unlike formula, breastmilk doesn’t do this) My GP who incorrectly told me I’d need to stop feeding Ellie when prescribing medication they assumed wouldn’t be compatible (wrongly after checking with The Breastfeeding Network Drugs in Breastmilk information service ). An A&E doctor who wrongly advised me to withhold breastmilk as they weren’t aware that BM is considered a clear liquid. My community HV team who are incredibly inconsistent with the level of concern they have over Ellie’s weight. You see... This is why this week is so important. Because the NHS doesn't have ANY funding for supporting breastfeeding. At all. It's not there. ALL of my support has come from family, friends, volunteers or I've paid for private support. Why can't breast/chest feeding parents access free support on the NHS? Because it's not funded. Not even partially in this area. Zero. Funding. Not a penny. Know what is funded though? Formulas created for infants with CMPA. So I could access formula for Ellie if I needed it but I couldn't access breastfeeding support. Because infant feeding is important. But not equally important. AND THAT IS WHY THIS WEEK IS SO IMPORTANT!!
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AuthorThe mothers of La Leche League Barnet. These Blog posts were inspired by a discussion during our Zoom meeting in August 2020, during World Breastfeeding Week. We talked about influences on our breastfeeding journeys: our initial imagination of the process and how reality shaped us, and was shaped by us and our circumstances. Please enjoy reading these raw and honest accounts, to give you a more realistic picture of what breastfeeding can look like in REALITY. Share widely if you wish. ArchivesCategories |