Title : Breaking barriers for breastfeeding mothers
Abstract:
There is stigma attached to breastfeeding. Whether it may be doing so in a public setting or being shamed for not breastfeeding your child because it should be easy. It may be easy for some mothers, but for most there are multiple barriers steering mothers away from breastfeeding their child. Resources and interventions include, preparing the mother to breastfeed during prenatal visits, postpartum education with the baby, and being available for mothers to reach out. Mothers are less eager to breastfeed their children due to barriers such as lack of information and education, frustration, bottle feeding in the hospital by staff instead of bringing the baby to the mother to breastfeed, hospital resources, postpartum education, tiredness and much more. There are emotional, socioeconomic, physical, and community barriers that play a role in the amount of mothers who breastfeed their child after birth. Evidence-based practice shows that providing resources to breastfeeding mothers can increase their willingness to breastfeed. Studies including randomized controlled trials provided lactation consultation during prenatal care, intrapartum and postpartum care and resulted in increased satisfaction from mothers and willingness to breastfeed after giving birth. In conclusion, increasing availability and access to resources pre- and postpartum for mothers to breastfeed can potentially increase their chances to breastfeed their child postpartum.
