Simeca Alexander Williamson | Breastfeeding – a worthwhile investment

Imagine a being that nurtures and provides, that is her purpose, that is her stance, naturally … what would life be without her giving? From the moment of conception, believe it or not, her body also prepares itself to provide nourishment for the baby after birth. Breastfeeding, from the beginning of time, has been one of nature’s gifts to mankind, allowing a transition from life inside the womb to the external world. Healing is experienced by the woman, the baby receives nutrition, and both benefit from a bonding experience that should be life-changing.

Now, step into a society that interrupts this transition. Family members all want to meet the baby as soon as they are born. Partners and other well-wishers want to bond with the baby by feeding via artificial means. Persons share opinions as to how soon a baby should be sleeping through the night and how often and how much they should be feeding and for how long. Not to mention a mother’s transition back to life prior to the birth of her baby, which, as she now knows, will never be the same. She is expected to resume all the duties she did prior to her gaining this new title as mother and “the sooner she does so, the better” … because how dare her inconvenience anyone else that doesn’t exist in her dyad?

This year’s theme for International Women’s Day, observed on March 8, ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate the Process’, recognises the correlation between women and their contribution to the progression of society. Women are the bearers of the present and the future. Without them, life will cease to continue. Their physical contribution to humanity is irreplaceable. When we start to explore the nurturing and emotional assets they bring, we dive into a whole new dimension. How then do we continue to belittle a woman’s contribution to society? How then, after the miraculous event of childbirth, do we “reward” her with little to no support?

QUESTIONING THEIR WORTH

I’ve interacted with hundreds of women who find themselves questioning their worth as a mother. In the middle of the night when they are unable to feed their babies, either because of pain because of a suboptimal latch, questioning whether her milk is sufficient to sooth her crying baby, or just sheer exhaustion from being convinced that breast milk is inadequate because her 2-week-old baby is still not sleeping through the night. The constant promotion of formula, whether through ads or health professionals, telling them to “just try this”, “you can give yourself a break”, undermining the mother’s ability to do what she was naturally made to do. I, myself, subsequent to the birth of both my babies, was victim to the well-intentioned nurse asking if my baby “needed a top-up”. Yet we continue to push the agenda that we are pro-breastfeeding.

The process of lactation and breastfeeding is a delicate one. From the moment a woman finds out she is pregnant, her nipples become tender. Over time, her breasts start to enlarge, nipples and areolae become bigger and darker – all these changes happen alongside her growing belly so that she can be ready to feed her baby outside of the womb. The Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization (WHO), The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM), The American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP), and countless other international bodies, all agree that exclusive breastfeeding - for six complete months – is recommended for the optimal growth and development of a baby. Yet, in 2022, Jamaica just instituted mandatory three months’ paid maternity leave with the added 20 days paternity leave. Many moms, from day one, decide that they need their babies to get used to taking a bottle or get used to drinking formula in preparation for this return to work in three months, half of the recommended time for babies to exclusively breastfeed. Imagine the detached approach a mother must take to own this truth!

Kudos to the workplaces that try their best in aiding this transition by providing a nursery that is in proximity, so that mothers may visit and bond with their babies where it is convenient throughout the workday. Two thumbs up for those institutions that provide a comfortable and private space, encouraging mothers to express their breastmilk to be stored for their babies, also preventing the discomfort of engorgement that has the possibility of leading to mastitis.

PAINFUL

Again, the countless women say there is reduction in their milk supply after returning to work is painful. Women make up a majority of the workforce, yet there seems to be no structure in place to reintegrate women when they return to work from maternity leave. Discussions need to be had as to the plan moving forward so that there can be peace of mind for the mother and the employer and things such as time for pumping, a private area (that is not a bathroom) to pump, etc.

Where is the support for the nurturing of our children? What will it take to convince the government that investing in our women at this crucial stage of their lives is one thing that will see irrevocable returns? Countries like Canada give up to a year of maternity leave with a fluctuation in pay over time, but the option to be on leave with some amount of compensation is available nonetheless. When we look at countries like Sweden, Norway and the United Kingdom, the amount of paid maternity leave that is allowed, and compare it to the state of their economy, are we incorrect to draw parallels?

Where is the allotment of funds to ensure that women can receive post-natal care, inclusive of breastfeeding support, physiotherapy, mental health counselling, just to name a few? Where is the maternal and child health support in the health centres and public hospitals (that don the title of ‘Baby-Friendly’, suggesting that they are pro-breastfeeding) to ensure that resorting to formula is the very last choice, because all was done to support women in this new phase of their lives?

How is it that breastfeeding supports eight 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), namely goals 1, 8 and 10 that focus on ending poverty, promoting economic growth, and reducing inequalities; goals 2 and 3 which are concerned with hunger, health and well-being, goal 4, regarding education, goal 5, which centres on gender equality; and goal 12 that tackles sustainable consumption? To quote UNICEF: “As national governments throughout the world develop budgets and action plans to achieve the SDGs, breastfeeding should be a priority. Breastfeeding contributes not only to achieving many of the SDGs, but it is also a critical component of the Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s, and Adolescents’ Health”.

Culminating our most recent local government elections, dare I make a recommendation to accelerate progress, to revitalise prosperity? Invest in our women, especially at a very pivotal time in our lives such as childbirth and breastfeeding.

Simeca Alexander Williamson is an International Board certified lactation consultant with a background in nutrition. Send feedback to support@cradleoflifeltd.com and columns@gleanerjm.com