The weeks of pregnancy pass in a blur of excitement and preparation, anticipation and exhaustion, thoughts of “when my baby is born” and plans for “when I am a mother.” Your body grows and changes to support your baby-in-utero over the course of pregnancy, and then gives way to labor and childbirth. When your baby is born, your body changes again to support her every need and makes the milk that can provide the nutrition she needs to grow.
Breastfeeding is, according to this year’s World Breastfeeding Week campaign, “A Winning Goal—for Life!” and yet in the U.S. today, just over three-quarters of U.S. babies receive any of their mother’s milk at all and fewer than half are being breastfed at 6 months of age. This in spite of recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and other leading health organizations that babies be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life and continue to receive breast milk at least until the first or, says the World Health Organization (WHO), second year and beyond.
One recent study found that two-thirds of U.S. mothers who planned to breastfeed exclusively for three months or longer did not go on to do so. That study identified characteristics of the hospital stay that could better support breastfeeding; other studies have looked at employment issues, social concerns, and formula marketing as roadblocks in a mother’s journey toward meeting her breastfeeding goals.
All of this begs the question: How does a mother “win” at breastfeeding?
Consider your goal. The AAP recommends babies receive only breast milk for the first six months of life, and that even after complementary foods are introduced, breastfeeding should continue to at least one year or beyond. These recommendations are based on decades of research about the positive effects of breastfeeding on the health of babies and their mothers. Do these goals seem achievable to you? Consider this: It is impossible to breastfeed for six months without breastfeeding for six weeks or even six days. Just as a marathoner facing a big hill might choose to focus on the current mile rather than the whole race, breaking your end goal into mini goals might be an effective strategy. Sometimes even getting through “one more day” might allow you the time to find your pace again.
Breastfeed early. Skin-to-skin contact should begin within the first hour after birth. In addition to thermoregulation and stabilization, “kangaroo care” sets the scene for successful breastfeeding; healthy infants will instinctively “breast crawl” for their first feeding if given the opportunity to do so.
Breastfeed often. A newborn baby needs to feed at least 8–12 times in each 24-hour period. Often, babies feed about every 1–3 hours during the day and every 2–3 hours at night, but every baby is different. Offer a feeding at the earliest signs of hunger (such as squirming, wiggling, sucking on fingers or fists, yawning, and stretching). Crying is a late sign of hunger, and will make latching on well much more difficult.
Plan accordingly. Many of the challenges you’ll face in breastfeeding can be overcome with planning. For example, if you want to breastfeed exclusively for your baby’s first six months but you have to return to work at 12 weeks (or sooner), you need to be prepared. Consider a good breast pump, store some milk, and talk with your employer in advance about maternity leave, flexible work schedules, nursing breaks, or space where you can pump. If public breastfeeding is a big challenge for you, practice in front of a mirror. Mother-to-mother breastfeeding support groups can be a great resource for identifying challenges and brainstorming solutions.
Have a positive attitude. Of course attitude isn’t everything when it comes to breastfeeding. Just like a positive attitude won’t get the marathoner over the finish line if she’s fallen and broken her ankle at the six-mile mark, it’s possible that you’ll encounter an insurmountable challenge in breastfeeding. However, a “can do” attitude will help you persevere and find resources that might help if you’re faced with typical breastfeeding challenges.
Be flexible. It’s likely that your breastfeeding journey will have some bumps in the road. A bout of mastitis may challenge your determination to never offer a bottle. The seemingly non-stop feeding sessions of your baby’s first growth spurt at about three weeks may cause you to doubt your ability to make enough milk to meet her growing needs. An emerging tooth might cause your baby to be fussy at the breast, or even bite. Be flexible with your goal. An early bottle doesn’t have to mean the end to breastfeeding, and you may find at some point that combined infant feeding (breast and bottle) is the solution that works best for your family.
Like all aspects of parenting, experiences vary. In fact, not only do experiences vary between mothers but also from one child to the next. I admit I stopped breastfeeding my first child early on at the pediatrician’s behest; as a more confident mother after the birth of my second child, I withstood that pressure but weaned in the aftermath of a car accident that resulted in a broken neck. Weaning was a child-led process for my last two children, and yet they stopped breastfeeding after very different durations.
So whether you are embarking on your first, second, or third breastfeeding journey, being prepared, positive, and setting realistic expectations with room for flexibility can make all the difference in whether or not you succeed at meeting your goals. Many women find that their actual breastfeeding experience differs from the best-laid plans set forth during pregnancy. You may ultimately breastfeed your baby for the 1–2 years experts recommend; you may breastfeed for a shorter time or even well beyond two years. In the end, any amount of breastfeeding is a win-win for you and your baby.
Heidi Green has been researching and writing about women’s and children health since she moved to Pittsburgh more than a decade ago. She is also a children’s book reviewer in her spare time. She is mom to Ben, Katie, Sam, and Max.
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