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Searching For The Truth About Breastfeeding

Listening To Mothers

©iStockphoto.com/Casarsa

by Barbara Behrmann
October 24, 2006

I’m a strong believer in the importance of women sharing their stories, especially when it comes to giving birth, taking care of babies, and mothering in general. So I was excited to get my hands on the second national survey of U.S. women’s childbearing experiences—Listening to Mothers II: Report of the Second National U.S. Survey of Women’s Childbearing Experiences—a survey that also looks at breastfeeding rates and experiences.

Most of the time when people are asked to fill out any sort of questionnaire, they do so reluctantly. One of the things that struck me about this survey is how engaged women were reported to be in answering questions about their birth and breastfeeding.

I remember when I was interviewing women for my own newsletter series, The Breastfeeding Cafe. Women would spend several hours sharing with me the most intimate details of their life and in the end would thank me for the opportunity!

I was made aware then, and am reminded again now, of how much women want their voices to be heard, of how much our culture tends to silence us in the telling of our birthing and breastfeeding stories.

Here, some of the breastfeeding findings from the survey:

61 percent of mothers wanted to breastfeed exclusively but only 51 percent were nursing one week after birth.

The babies of 38 percent of mothers who intended to breastfeed exclusively were given formula or water at birth.

The babies of 44 percent of mothers who intended to breastfeed exclusively were given a pacifier shortly after birth.

66 percent of mothers who intended to breastfeed exclusively were offered formula samples while in recovery at their birthing site.

Over 33 percent of mothers perceived that the staff was either neutral about feeding method or preferred formula.

Until breastfeeding is seen as the normal way to feed a baby, and supported after birth and beyond by hospital staff and medical professionals, it’s likely these figures won’t change.

Miriam

I remember my obstetrician asking me to stop by the nurse before I left the office at one of my visits for a “bag of goodies”. My husband and I stopped in and were given maps of the L&D wing, baby and parenting magazines and much more in a cool little bag with “Enfamil” written on it. Then the nurse asked me to fill out some forms. I asked her if it was for a formula company and she replied “you will get lots of free stuff when the baby is born.” I declined. She insisted. I told her that I wasn’t interested. She said there’s nothing wrong with formula. I ended up keeping the parenting magazines and throwing the “Enfamil” bag away when I got home. I didn’t get any formula at the hospital after my delivery–probably because I didn’t give them my information–unlike other friends who also delivered at the same hospital. We simply told the nurses that he was to have only breastmilk–no pacifiers, no formula. We wrote it on the bassinet and kept him in our room so he could breastfeed on demand. I am proud to say that after working through some rough spots, my 7 month old son has never tasted formula. He is strong, healthy and growing into a wonderful little boy. When he grows up he will know that there is no substitute for a mother’s milk no matter how much free stuff is offered.
Abigail Leese

Both of my children were born over seas. My daughter, 6, in Rome and my son 4 months in St. Martin, French West Indies. I think that what the survey reveals is quite in line with what’s happening in most parts of the developed world. I’ve spent the last 6 years speaking to women about their breastfeeding experience and almost ALL or a good 80% of the women I’ve spoken to claimed they wanted to breastfeed but to 1) not have enough milk 2) have cuts and sores on their breasts 3) that their pediatrician recommended they supplement. As I just happened to find the La Leche League in Rome with my first child I felt soooo lucky. The OB that delivered my first baby, sternly recommended that I not nurse for more than 3 minutes on each breast for the first days-that my breast would be sore if I did that (never mentioning anything about correct positioning)! The OB that was in the hospital after my son was born suggested that I give him just a bottle until my milk came in (this was his second night and he was beginning to “wake” a bit and want to nurse all the time!) These are educated health care workers!!! I’m also proud to say that my daughter never touched a bottle, pacifier or baby food jars. I certainly don’t judge women who choose not to breastfeed but more importantly I’m SURE that 99% of women that don’t breastfeed don’t have enough or the right information and support. I’m still working through some tough times with my son who doesn’t sleep….but thanks to support and correct information I know that this too in time shall pass.