This has been a difficult week. As a women’s health professional (babies too, of course), I have all sorts of feelings for the population I directly serve, those who support them, and our society as a whole. My feelings are big, often all-encompassing, and there has been a lot of processing over the last several days. And then this article came across my desk:
Stop Telling Moms 'Just Breastfeed' As If It'll Solve the Baby Formula Shortage
I believe women should have choices. I believe women know what is right for them. One of my goals is to provide information in a non-judgmental way so that women (and other lactating parents) feel armed with the knowledge to choose what is best for them when it comes to feeding their babies. And yes, you are hearing it from a lactation consultant, breastfeeding or chestfeeding isn’t always it. Along with this information, I hope to provide support that meets the parent where they are and truly feels genuine no matter how they are feeding their babies. I know a lot about breastfeeding and can offer tons of guidance on how to improve the experience for parents and babies and I also know how to offer and support alternatives as needed, whether by choice or challenge. I understand the complexities of emotion regarding infant feeding and I’m here for it.
We’re living through a strange time and it is difficult to tease out what causes this or that, but we are having to experience some consequences. The infant formula shortage has been especially relevant to my day-to-day experience and I’m glad to see the article above addressing some of the complexities that parents face. It is also interesting to note that the American Academy of Pediatrics has updated its breastfeeding recommendations, specifically in support of parents who choose to breastfeed for up to two years (previously, one year). This now aligns with the World Health Organization’s recommendation. Some might say this is interesting timing given the formula shortage, and that it creates additional pressure for parents. Since I trust my readers will think critically and make their own conclusions, I’ll leave this right here and will continue to move forward, supporting my clients as I best know how - with true reverence and awe of the postpartum period and holding sacred the parents’ desires and experience all along the human spectrum.