World Breastfeeding Week may be coming to a close, we have only kicked off National Breastfeeding Month, with the theme of “Nourish, Sustain, Thrive”. While all breastfeeding is celebrated this month, this blog post will highlight the specific awareness weeks that will be taking place. Let’s acknowledge the unique experiences of different communities and learn how we can better support them.
Indigenous Milk Medicine Week
Dates: Aug. 8-14
Indigenous cultures have long recognized the healing properties of breast milk. Indigenous Milk Medicine honors this tradition and emphasizes the importance of cultural sensitivity in breastfeeding support. Learn more.
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Breastfeeding Week
Dates: Aug. 15-21
The Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander community faces unique challenges, including language barriers, cultural expectations, and limited access to culturally competent care. Raising awareness and providing culturally appropriate support is essential. Learn more.
Black Breastfeeding Week
Dates: Aug. 25-31
Black women have lower breastfeeding rates compared to other racial groups. Addressing systemic racism, providing culturally sensitive care, and creating supportive communities are crucial steps toward improving Black breastfeeding outcomes. Learn more.
Workplace Lactation Awareness Week
Dates: Sept. 1-7
Supporting breastfeeding mothers in the workplace is essential. Creating lactation rooms, offering flexible work arrangements, and providing education on breastfeeding and pumping can make a significant difference. Learn more.
By working together, we can create a world where every mother has the support she needs to breastfeed. Hygeia Health is committed to supporting mothers on their breastfeeding journey. Our breast pumps are designed with comfort and efficiency in mind, but we know that a great pump is just one piece of the puzzle. We believe in providing comprehensive support, including education, resources, and community.
Let’s continue to celebrate the power of breast milk in the month of August, but we will advocate for policies that support breastfeeding families every month of the year.
Breastfeeding comes naturally, but mastering it can be a whole different story. From latching to milk supply, there’s a lot to learn. In alignment with World Breastfeeding Week, we’ve put together a list of best practices for your breastfeeding journey that are applicable to all moms.
Skin-to-Skin Contact
Skin-to-skin contact, often called kangaroo care, is a powerful tool for bonding and baby’s health. This magical moment, where the baby rests on the mom’s bare chest, helps regulate the baby’s body temperature, heart rate, and breathing. It’s a natural way to soothe the baby and encourage breastfeeding. Plus, it releases those feel-good hormones for both mom and babe, strengthening the bond.
Early and Frequent Feeding
The more often you feed your baby, the better your milk supply will be. Try to feed your baby on demand, whenever they show signs of hunger. This can be challenging when it leads to regular night feeds, but bear in mind it won’t last forever.
Proper Latch
A good latch is key to comfortable breastfeeding. If you’re having trouble, a lactation consultant can help. A good latch means your baby’s mouth is open wide, with their lips flanged outward, and their chin touching your breast and it should not be painful.
Build a Support System
Having people to support you is important. This could be your partner, family, friends, or a breastfeeding support group. If you don’t have people at home with you for support, don’t make the mistake of thinking you have to go it alone. If there are no local groups, there are options for online support groups.
Take Care of Yourself
Don’t forget a key aspect of successful breastfeeding: YOU! While the baby is a priority, part of that comes with taking care of the mother’s body. It is equipped to produce the number one nutritional substance for babies: breast milk. Eating a healthy diet, drinking plenty of fluids, and getting enough rest are essential for breastfeeding success.
Pumping
Not every mom has the intention to pump during her breastfeeding journey, but if you plan to pump, it’s important to find a pump that’s comfortable and efficient. Hygeia Health offers a high-quality breast pump to support your journey. The lightweight and cordless Hygeia Express travels well with hospital-grade strength and gentle comfort. Check with your insurance to see if you receive full coverage on a pump and consider taking advantage of it even if you don’t plan to pump your milk. Emergency situations, such as NICU stays, can result in a need to pump and you’ll be glad you have it.
Don’t Give Up
Breastfeeding can be a learning process. It might take some time to get the hang of it, but be patient with yourself, and don’t hesitate to seek help if you need it.
Keep in mind that every mother’s breastfeeding journey is different. What works for one mom might not work for another. The most important thing is to do what’s best for you and your baby.
Breastfeeding: it’s the way anyone can level up to supermom status, right?
While it is an amazing journey, it is completely normal to hit a few bumps in the road. The good news is no mom needs to be alone in their journey! There is a ton of support available to help moms navigate this new chapter of motherhood and empower them to thrive with breastfeeding.
In this blog post, in the spirit of World Breastfeeding Week, we will discuss the best people and places to find breastfeeding support.
Healthcare Providers
Your doctor or midwife is a great place to start for support. They may not be the experts themselves, but they can likely provide you with initial information, point you in a good direction for resources, and even refer you to lactation consultants. Remember, they deal with moms who are new to breastfeeding on a regular basis.
Lactation Consultants
Lactation consultants are specially trained professionals who can help with breastfeeding questions, problems, and general support. They are wonderful assets for assisting with latching, milk supply, and other common issues. Today, most hospitals have a lactation consultant on staff. If one does not visit you upon delivery, don’t miss out. Request that the on-staff lactation consultant visit before your stay is over.
Support Groups
A mom tends to feel less alone about her struggles when she’s able to share her experiences with others who are going through or have been through similar challenges..Support groups can be a great way to connect with other breastfeeding moms and get the encouragement needed. This can also be a great way to receive tips from moms who’ve had to tackle the same issues. La Leche League offers support groups across the country or check with your hospital, as many offer support groups. If yours does not, the lactation consultant may be aware of a local group.
Partners and Family
Your partner and family can, and hopefully will, play an important role in your breastfeeding journey. They can provide emotional support, help with household chores, and take care of older children if needed. Of course, not every mom has this kind of support at home. In this case, sometimes friend circles can become like family and set up meal trains and regular check-ins to be sure a mom has the support she needs.
Online Resources & Hygeia Health
The beauty of today’s world is that not everything has to be within driving distance to be accessible. There are many online resources available, including websites, blogs, forums, and even support groups. However, the plethora of options available can be both a blessing and a curse. An already overwhelmed mom struggling in her breastfeeding journey likely doesn’t have the fortitude to sift through endless search results. Fortunately, there are trustworthy sources for information, support, and community, such as La Leche League, Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM), Healthline and The World Health Organization (WHO).
Hygeia Health
We at Hygeia Health are on the top of the list as well! We’re here to support you in all ways. Our website offers information and resources on breastfeeding and our customer service team is available to answer your questions. We also partner with Nest Collaborative to provide virtual breastfeeding consults accessible anytime, anywhere, covered by most insurance plans at no cost to you.
Remember, you’re not alone. There are many people and resources available to help you on your breastfeeding journey. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Breastfeeding is a beautiful journey, but it’s not always easy. Many mothers face significant obstacles that can make breastfeeding challenging to sustain. This World Breastfeeding Week, we want to shed light on these struggles and obstacles and offer support. This blog post will dive into those challenges.
Physical Challenges
Sore nipples, engorgement, and mastitis–ever heard of those? These are some of the most common physical hurdles moms face. These can be incredibly painful and downright discouraging for a mom. No matter how much she understands the benefits of breastfeeding, the pain can cause a mom to want to give up or feel incapable. Lack of sleep in the early days and weeks after birth, coupled with the demands of a newborn, can further exacerbate these issues.
One of the major causes for physical challenges, though, is inadequate latching, which is often a result of a mom not being well supported after birth. This can be particularly true for a first time breastfeeding mom who doesn’t receive support from a lactation consultant. When breastfeeding support is lacking from the start, a mom can be quickly deterred.
Psychological Challenges
While the previously mentioned painful experiences of things like cracked and bleeding nipples may sound traumatic, physical challenges are often treated and managed more easily than the mental issues moms can face.
Feeling inadequate, stressed, or isolated is not an uncommon experience for breastfeeding mothers. The pressure to succeed can be overwhelming, especially when coupled with the mantra that “breastfeeding is natural”. The physical struggles coupled with the flood of hormones that follow delivery can result in postpartum depression and anxiety, which can further complicate the early breastfeeding journey.
Additionally, some moms struggle with body image concerns. Bodies obviously change through pregnancy, and, typically, they don’t simply “bounce back” to their pre-pregnancy shape, weight, and size. Living in a ‘new’ body can also lead to mental challenges for moms.
Societal and Environmental Challenges
Lack of workplace support is a major barrier for many mothers in their breastfeeding journey. Limited maternity leave, lack of lactation rooms, and negative attitudes towards breastfeeding can make it difficult for working moms to continue breastfeeding once returning to work.
Additionally, access to quality healthcare and lactation support is also crucial to breastfeeding success, and unfortunately, in many corners of the world ( even in the United States), not every mom has both or either of these things.
Other socioeconomic disparities can impact a mother’s ability to access these resources, such as income, education, geographic location, and racial/ethnic disparities. Discrimination can play a role for some, as can living in a rural or low income area.
Knowledge and Information Gaps
Misinformation about breastfeeding is prevalent. Many mothers lack the knowledge and support they need to overcome challenges and this can lead to early cessation of breastfeeding.
Hygeia Health is committed to supporting mothers on their breastfeeding journey. Our breast pumps are designed with comfort and efficiency in mind. But we know that a great breast pump is just one piece of the puzzle. We believe in providing comprehensive support, including education, resources, and community.
By understanding the challenges mothers face, we can work together to create a more supportive environment for breastfeeding. Let’s break down the barriers and continue to close the gap that will help mothers achieve their breastfeeding goals.
World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) is a time to celebrate the incredible benefits of breastfeeding and to advocate for policies that support breastfeeding mothers. But sometimes, the best way to understand the importance of something is to look at the numbers. Let’s dive into some key statistics that highlight why breastfeeding is so crucial for babies, mothers, and our world.
The Impact on Infant Health
Reduced infant mortality: Breastfeeding can reduce infant mortality by up to 13%. This means fewer babies die from preventable causes like diarrhea and pneumonia.
Protection against diseases: Breast milk contains antibodies that help protect babies from a range of illnesses, including ear infections, respiratory infections, and allergies.
Cognitive development: Studies have shown that breastfed babies tend to have higher IQs and better cognitive outcomes.
Stronger immune systems: Breast milk helps build a baby’s immune system, reducing the risk of chronic diseases later in life, as supported by the CDC, WHO, American Academy of Pediatrics, Cleveland Clinic, and others.
The Benefits for Mothers
Reduced risk of disease: Breastfeeding lowers the risk of numerous diseases, particularly some of those most prevalent in today’s society. This includes diseases such as breast cancer and ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular risk, bone health, and postpartum depression.
Cost-effective: Breastfeeding saves families money on formula as well as healthcare costs. Numerous groups, such as The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, have investigated the different aspects of savings that impact a family’s finances when they choose to breastfeed.
Bonding: Breastfeeding promotes bonding between mother and baby. The research is often considered complex and nuanced, but it is a long time supported belief by breastfeeding specialists.
Faster weight loss: Breastfeeding can help new mothers lose weight more quickly and return to their pre-pregnancy weight, particularly due to the fact breastfeeding burns extra calories, often contributing to weight loss. Postpartum hormones can also play a role in this benefit. La Leche League, Healthline and other sources offer articles and support on this topic; however, it is not a guaranteed form of postpartum weight loss.
The Global Picture
Inequalities: Breastfeeding rates vary widely across the globe, with disparities based on income, education, and geographic location. Globally, around 40-50% of infants are exclusively breastfed for the first six months and the median duration of breastfeeding is 12-23 months; however, in the U.S., only about 25% of infants are exclusively breastfed for the first six months with the average duration only around 8-12 months.
Economic impact: It is estimated that breastfeeding saves billions of dollars in healthcare costs globally.
Lives saved: The Cost of Not Breastfeeding Tool calculates that more than 515,000 lives could be saved each year if breastfeeding is protected, promoted, and supported in line with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommendations.
Sustainable development: Breastfeeding is a sustainable and environmentally friendly way to feed a baby. Since 2016, the WBW campaign has aligned its goals with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations for this very reason.
These statistics paint a clear picture of the immense benefits of breastfeeding, and the fact that mothers across the globe need support in their journeys. That’s why Hygeia Health is committed to supporting mothers on their breastfeeding journey. Our high-quality breast pumps and educational resources are designed to make breastfeeding easier and more enjoyable.
It’s more than just nutrition; it’s an investment in the health and well-being of both mother and child. Despite the overwhelming evidence, many mothers face challenges in breastfeeding. Look to our next post in this series to dive into those challenges as we support moms through World Breastfeeding Week.
