Relationships
Jared and Makala Howell enjoy time with baby Darcy Howell.
Area Agencies Offer Breastfeeding Support For Families Mothers-to-be spend a lot of time preparing for the birth of a child. The list is long, beginning with
planning what baby items are needed, to reading the many pregnancy books, to packing hospital bags; all the while hoping when labor begins they’ll recall the breathing techniques they learned in birthing class. If all goes well, then all of the boxes are checked. However, for many moms, a very important topic does not make the list: breastfeeding education. As a postpartum nurse making home visits, one of the comments I hear most often is, “I wish I had prepared more for breastfeeding.” During a recent visit with first-time mother Makala Howell, she stated, “I spent so much time preparing for the birth and not enough time thinking about 16 | July-August 2021
breastfeeding. I didn’t consider that it would be so challenging. I have been telling my friends who are pregnant to take classes and get support for breastfeeding as soon as they have an issue.” Makala sought help from a local lactation consultant and from her Family Connects’ nurse home visitor. A majority of moms I visit start out breastfeeding. But many encounter challenges for which they did not feel prepared. Most mothers who continued breastfeeding found support when an issue occurred in the early weeks of
breastfeeding from a lactation professional, or a friend or relative with breastfeeding experience. Current breastfeeding rates of women in America who breastfeed immediately after delivery are 84 percent, according to the most recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention breastfeeding report card. By 6 months of age, that number drops to 58 percent. One of the main reasons for the big drop is lack of breastfeeding support for moms. When moms do not have support within the first weeks of breastfeeding, a feeling of hopelessness and disappointment can arise. When moms receive support during the first weeks of their infant’s lives they will have a more positive and successful breastfeeding experience. Every breastfeeding journey is unique. aawmag.com
