When I was pregnant, I wish someone had told me how hard breastfeeding was going to be. Maybe I could have handled the inevitable frustration a little easier if I had planned ahead.
Instead I felt like a failure in the hospital recovery room because it was so painful, and my milk was slow coming in.
Just in time for National Breastfeeding Awareness month, a new study is shedding light on the reasons why pregnant women should learn about the challenges of breastfeeding before they give birth.
Lansinoh Laboratories is a leader in breastfeeding accessories and supports breastfeeding mothers. They conducted a global online survey of 1,044 healthcare providers across five countries and asked them what moms need to know about breastfeeding.
I had a chance to talk to Lansinoh about the study and they tell me the goal in sharing this information is to empower moms and moms-to-be so that they begin their breastfeeding journey empowered with knowledge, and are less likely to stop breastfeeding.
“Planning and preparation are keys to success in all aspects of life and breastfeeding is no different” – Gina Cicatelli Ciagne, CLC and Vice President of Global Healthcare Relations at Lansinoh.
The survey found that 81% of healthcare providers say women should have a conversation with their healthcare provider about breastfeeding before they deliver, ideally in the third trimester.
Unfortunately, nearly half say women typically wait until they are either about to deliver or after baby arrives to get advice about techniques and skills.
After I gave birth I started scrambling to read everything I could about it. It was a surprise to me to learn that newborn babies need to be fed, on average, at least eight to 12 times in a 24-hour period.
It was overwhelming. I cried many times because I felt like I couldn’t keep up with her feeding schedule, and I was letting her down. If only I had known that having a support system in place ahead of time could have saved me some heartache. I’m not saying it would have suddenly made breastfeeding a breeze, but it would have helped.
And apparently these themes are common around the world. Women need breastfeeding support and knowledge and they need it sooner rather than later. Sore nipples, positioning tips, and latching problems are the most common issues that healthcare providers say they address with new moms.
Take these questions from Lansinoh with you the next time visit your healthcare provider and fill out the exclusive breastfeeding wish list certificate to stay motivated. Don’t be afraid to arm yourself with support groups, a doula, a lactation consultant and/or breastfeeding accessories so you aren’t tempted to call it quits when it gets overwhelming.
*Disclaimer: I was compensated for my honest opinion on this survey. For more information, please visit my disclaimers page.
