23 Sep #BreastfeedingGoals

I used to imagine breastfeeding as an easy, carefree, natural process that felt like the picture above looks.  For some women, it is exactly that. For me, there were moments that felt like this, but from the beginning, it was a tough process to navigate.  “Has my milk come in? Is he getting enough? How many poop diapers were there today? He dropped X% on his growth chart? Wait… I’m a whole Pediatrician! Shouldn’t this be easier?”  

While Breastfeeding Goals are an idea with great intentions, they can be a dangerous trap that can lead to increased self doubt.  “While physician mothers have some of the highest rates of initiating breastfeeding, their rates of continuing to breastfeed for 12 months drops sharply from 97% to 34%– and less than a third reach their breastfeeding goals.”

Community support and education can help increase the likelihood of breastfeeding longer.  Here are a few of my tips to help!

*Work with a Lactation Consultant.

A board certified lactation consultant can be an invaluable resource for your family. She can reassure you when breastfeeding and lactation are going well and provide guidance to prevent and manage common concerns.  Most birthing hospitals will have a lactation consultation team. Use them! They are magical people.

*Download the Mamava App

I got pretty comfortable breastfeeding in public with baby #3, but that might not be your thing.  Mamava pods are private spaces for lactation around the world. You can use the app to find these pods and other established lactation spaces nearby.  It is also an online community where you can give and receive sweet notes from other mamas that have used the space at a different time than you.

*Know your Rights!

As of 2018, it is legal to breastfeed in public in all 50 states.  Idaho, was the last state to legalize breastfeeding in public. Your family’s health and nutritional choices are your personal decision.  So if you feel comfortable whipping out the boob… whip it out! The Federal Break Time for Nursing Mothers Law also requires certain employers to provide breastfeeding moms time and space to pump. Specifically this means: 

-A private, functional space that is not a bathroom, and

-A reasonable break time to pump each time you need to express milk while you’re working. 

A final thought on the breastfeeding journey… It. Ain’t. Easy.  Well, at least for me and many of the other women I counsel through it, the journey has been challenging.  And it is not always possible. So give it a-go if you’re up for the work, and when it is time for you to wean, that’s okay too.  Stay aware of where your energy is being pumped. Do your other kids need more of you? Can you carve out quality time with your significant other and maintain the feeding schedule?  Every woman’s breastfeeding journey is unique, so enjoy it if you can, and hang up the nursing bra when you need to.