The Importance of National Breastfeeding Month

Here at Arancia Physical Therapy, this August we are celebrating National Breastfeeding Month! This means that this upcoming month is dedicated to advancing advocacy, protection, and promotion of breastfeeding to ensure that all families have the opportunity to breastfeed if they choose to do so. The importance is due to the fact that there is still a lot of stigma around breastfeeding in community spaces. There is also a lot of misinformation surrounding breast milk vs. formula feeding and the overall breastfeeding experience. The current formula shortage has made this even more of a conversation and we hope to share some clarifying information with you to help shed the stigma and give you the best information to do whatever is best for you and your family!

  One of the biggest stigmas surrounding breastfeeding is the issue of whether or not to breastfeed in public. There are some who believe that women should not breastfeed their babies in public settings because it is too “revealing”, and then there are others who completely support the idea of being able to feed your child wherever and whenever you need to. The truth of the matter is that most likely you won't be at home or in a private, comfortable place every time your baby gets hungry. You may be in the car, running errands, or just in any public location. Mothers should not be forced to remain home during the entirety of their breastfeeding experience, and neither should babies have to wait to be fed until the mother can do so privately. The number one priority should be feeding the tiny growing human being! There are plenty of covers and ways to stay modest, but it's not uncommon to feel uncomfortable about the idea of breastfeeding in public. Luckily, some campuses and office buildings even have designated breastfeeding rooms so that mothers can feel comfortable feeding their children privately. Another big push in National Breastfeeding Month is to create more spaces in the community for people to breastfeed, bottle feed, or pump comfortably and in a safe environment. As we have said before, parents can't just abandon their routines just as babies can't put off their hunger. Whether it be by individual businesses or through policy, it's important to push for more of these spaces within our community. Thankfully, the laws in 47 states allow women to breastfeed anywhere, with or without a cover, exempt from indecency laws. Many are unaware of that fact, so we want to make it clear that despite certain opinions, you are able to breastfeed wherever is most comfortable and convenient for you and your baby, covered or not. It is important that we bring awareness to this public issue especially as National Breastfeeding Month and World Breastfeeding Week nears.

  One of the other biggest stigmas surrounding breastfeeding is the debate between breastmilk and formula, and why there is such controversy and judgment that surrounds a new mother’s personal decision on how she should feed her child. New moms who choose formula to feed their child, or who switch over to it after a few months of breastfeeding, are often shamed and put down by society for not feeding their baby “properly”. While there are certain benefits to breastfeeding, it's not the best choice for every mom or every baby. There are plenty of reasons why people choose not to breastfeed, and we want to acknowledge and celebrate that choice. Despite the fact that we want to celebrate breastfeeding this month, the true meaning behind this month is celebrating the fueling of new life, however that looks for you. For some, it is bottle feeding with breast milk, bottle feeding with formula, or even using donated milk. In a formula shortage especially, it's important that we lift mothers up for making the best-educated choice for their baby, rather than shame or judge a situation we don't understand fully.

If you are interested in some of the benefits of breast milk, we have described some of them here:

Breast milk is the most natural source of vitamins, protein, and fat- everything your baby needs to grow. Breast milk also contains antibodies that help your baby fight off viruses and bacteria. Breastfeeding also lowers your baby's risk of having asthma or allergies, and studies have shown that babies who are exclusively breastfed for the first six months have fewer ear infections, respiratory illnesses, and hospitalizations. But, when it comes down to it, the option to exclusively breastfeed is not for everyone. Breastfeeding can be extremely difficult for some women, as it is extremely painful and uncomfortable. Also, not all women have a large supply of breastmilk that comes in after birth, so there isn’t even really the option to breastfeed. This is why talking to your doctor about what is the best decision for you and your baby is so important. There are many different types of formulas out there to choose from, and there is always an option that will work for you if you need or choose this option. Make sure your doctor knows what you are comfortable with, and be sure to voice any concerns or questions to them about how to best feed and nourish your baby. At the end of the day, as long as your baby is fed and happy, that is all that matters!

We hope this can help educate you and those you know about the stigmas that surround breastfeeding as National Breastfeeding Month approaches. We know the postpartum journey is a difficult one to navigate, and we are here to help! If you'd like to speak to a pelvic health specialist, please don’t hesitate to contact us for a free consultation online here or by giving us a call at 401.602.7006. We look forward to hearing from you!