Breastfeeding support in its oldest, most enduring form –
women learning without pressure, over time, from women they want to emulat e.
women learning without pressure, over time, from women they want to emulat e.
So IBCLC Diane Weissinger beautifully describes the nature of breastfeeding support groups. This is the way we are meant to learn to breastfeed (the experts call it “observational learning”), by seeing it happen naturally all around us, and with the help of experienced mums in our community. Yet in this day and age this often doesn’t happen; older women in our family and circle of friends may not have breastfed, and our society and media typically treat breastfeeding as something to be hidden away. So intentional peer support – whether one-to-one or in a group setting – becomes all the more important.
Peer support is important for a number of other reasons. Breastfeeding support is hard to come by in hospital immediately following the birth; pediatricians are not routinely trained in breastfeeding management, information on the Internet is notoriously unreliable, and in any case, research (and I’m sure our own experiences) tells us that mothers’ preferred source of information is other mothers.
Individual peer support and attendance at breastfeeding groups have both been found to increase rates of breastfeeding initiation, exclusivity and duration. This can only be good news for mothers and babies, as these all have lifelong effects on health and well-being.
But it’s not all about the numbers! Peer support can improve the quality of our breastfeeding experience, too. Research shows the following psycho-social benefits to peer support groups:
• They provide flexibility, a sense of control, & a safe place to rehearse and perform breastfeeding in front of others
• They respect diversity, ensure inclusivity, stimulate community empowerment
• They affirm and normalise breastfeeding experiences
• They increase levels of self-esteem, empowerment and satisfaction
• They help mothers gain a feeling of self-reliance and reassurance
Whether one-to-one or as part of a group, we can all play an important role in empowering, encouraging and supporting new mums. Lend a breastfeeding book to an expectant mum. Pass on a list of support groups, reliable Internet sites, helpline numbers and contact details for IBCLCs. Call up a new mum a few days after the birth and ask her how things are going. Take round a pack of energy bars or muffins and slip in a leaflet on breastfeeding. Bring round dinner so she can spend the evening cluster feeding on the sofa. Offer to take her to a support group meeting. Share your own breastfeeding story with her. Attend or organize group meetings. Train as a peer supporter. And participate in our Facebook group. I’m sure you can think of many other ways in which you can help. You can make a difference!
Peer support is important for a number of other reasons. Breastfeeding support is hard to come by in hospital immediately following the birth; pediatricians are not routinely trained in breastfeeding management, information on the Internet is notoriously unreliable, and in any case, research (and I’m sure our own experiences) tells us that mothers’ preferred source of information is other mothers.
Individual peer support and attendance at breastfeeding groups have both been found to increase rates of breastfeeding initiation, exclusivity and duration. This can only be good news for mothers and babies, as these all have lifelong effects on health and well-being.
But it’s not all about the numbers! Peer support can improve the quality of our breastfeeding experience, too. Research shows the following psycho-social benefits to peer support groups:
• They provide flexibility, a sense of control, & a safe place to rehearse and perform breastfeeding in front of others
• They respect diversity, ensure inclusivity, stimulate community empowerment
• They affirm and normalise breastfeeding experiences
• They increase levels of self-esteem, empowerment and satisfaction
• They help mothers gain a feeling of self-reliance and reassurance
Whether one-to-one or as part of a group, we can all play an important role in empowering, encouraging and supporting new mums. Lend a breastfeeding book to an expectant mum. Pass on a list of support groups, reliable Internet sites, helpline numbers and contact details for IBCLCs. Call up a new mum a few days after the birth and ask her how things are going. Take round a pack of energy bars or muffins and slip in a leaflet on breastfeeding. Bring round dinner so she can spend the evening cluster feeding on the sofa. Offer to take her to a support group meeting. Share your own breastfeeding story with her. Attend or organize group meetings. Train as a peer supporter. And participate in our Facebook group. I’m sure you can think of many other ways in which you can help. You can make a difference!
Women will succeed if just one person really believes they can do it
and that belief along with skilled and knowledgeable support is often sadly missing.
Carmen Duffy, UNICEF
and that belief along with skilled and knowledgeable support is often sadly missing.
Carmen Duffy, UNICEF