World Breastfeeding Week 2021

This is not an easy week for many of us.

Maybe you imagined yourself as one of those mothers blissfully nursing her baby.

Maybe you prepared yourself well for breastfeeding before giving birth.

Maybe you knew that it wasn’t going to be easy but thought that if you tried hard enough, it would work out.

Maybe you were too tired and overwhelmed after the birth to focus on establishing breastfeeding.

Maybe you heard the constant reminders from healthcare providers and institutions about how important breast milk is for babies.

Maybe you wondered “but what about the mothers?”

Maybe you googled ‘how to increase breastmilk supply’ in the middle of the night.

Maybe you read all the articles on breastfeeding websites and just couldn’t find the answers.

Maybe you were frustrated and angry with your body for “letting you down”.

Maybe you tried every single bit of advice and nothing worked.

Maybe you felt guilty and inadequate every time you had to give your baby formula.

Maybe you were exhausted from endless cluster feeding followed by pumping to boost your supply.

Maybe you cried after every doctor’s visit because your baby wasn’t gaining enough weight.

Maybe you felt that you weren’t good enough, that you weren’t supposed to be a mother.

Maybe you grieved the end of your breastfeeding relationship, over before you were ready.

Maybe you read and researched some more and wondered why we still don’t have enough information about women’s bodies, particularly our reproductive systems.

Maybe you were angry about the unrealistic expectations set on women by society, and the very real lack of support that we so desperately require.

Maybe you experienced breastfeeding trauma.

Just like I did.

How did I get through it? With the support of lactation consultants, formula, therapy, and talking to others who had been in a similar situation.

My hope for the future is that we can fix our broken healthcare systems. That women will one day matter as much as the children that they birth, feed, and raise. That our bodies will be considered worthy enough to invest more funds to research about them. That we will see through the pointless ‘formula vs. breast milk’ debates. And that we will continue to support each other regardless of the parenting and life choices that we make.