World Breastfeeding Month
As the month dedicated to breastfeeding trickles to an end, let us continue encouraging mothers, women, sisters, like us in their breastfeeding journey.
Breastfeeding comes with a lot of struggles simply because it is uniquely made for humans – yes you read right! The struggle for power money against something free and natural is very much real!
The most common and effective way for corporations to deal with the power women can muster (with unfortunately good results) is by setting us against each other.
So here I am, asking you all mamas to support the breastfeeding mother. If she is tired, offer to take care of her to do list whilst she rests with her baby (unless she requests a break from said baby); If she is discouraged due to challenges, tell her stories of challenges you have overcome; challenges of needing to go dairy free, of needing to exclusively pump, of dealing with a reflux baby, of having insufficient milk….. If she is in a place where she needs to take a decision that she never ever wanted even to consider, hold her tight and let her pour out her disappointment, sadness, anger. Support her in whatever decision she needs to take that feels right for her family – even if you do not agree with that decision.
Ultimately, a mother – especially one that have just had a baby, is still trying to navigate so many new things in her life. Adjusting to so many new situations she never dreamed of, that unless you are forthcoming with support in whatever form she needs, she might not reach her breastfeeding goals. We are all responsible to help that woman, that sister, that mother to reach her goals. Forget your own baggage and give her wings to fly. Sometimes a smile of encouragement is all she will need.
