How lucky you are to get a paid-for vacation, some people say when they hear the news of an expectant mother going on maternity leave.
This eschews the horror and physical, mental and spiritual depletion that may come with this much-needed time before and after Baby’s arrival.
As we approach annual Breastfeeding Awareness Week (1-7 August 2023), we look at the links between your holistic wellness and breastfeeding.
“When mothers prioritise their own wellbeing, they can establish and maintain a healthy milk supply,” says Lizeth Kruger, Dis-Chem Baby City’s National Clinic Executive.
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Unfortunately, according to Dr Chantell Witten from Wits University, SA has low exclusive breastfeeding rates to start with, and returning to work exacerbates the situation – making it seem almost like a “luxury” for working moms to breastfeed properly.
“The latest breastfeeding rates in South Africa are from 2016, and from that data we see an acute drop off from 44% of mothers breastfeeding in the first month after birth to only 28.9% still breastfeeding at 2 to 3 months of age, which coincides with the timing for return to work,” says the Association for Dietetics in South Africa (ADSA) spokesperson.
In SA, employers are required to allow breastfeeding employees two 30-minute breaks per day for breastfeeding or expressing milk, every working day for the first six months of their child’s life, Dr Witten explains.
However, “despite the legislation, research shows that many companies are not making provision for mothers to express breastmilk at their workplaces, and it is hard for government to enforce compliance within the private sector environments”.
“What is also missing is that we are not hearing parents demanding these provisions to support breastfeeding in the workplace.
“We need to create awareness of this provision and build breastfeeding-friendly work environments that proactively reduce social stigma and instead promote breastfeeding as a vital part of wellness and healthy lifestyle.”
- 4 STEPS TO PRIORITISING YOUR WELLBEING AT HOME, POSTPARTUM, FOR BABY’S SAKE
Many new mothers face challenges in establishing and maintaining successful breastfeeding due to a lack of postpartum recovery support and education, according to Dis-Chem Baby City.
Lizeth shares these four life hacks to help new parents and guardians have a more positive breastfeeding experience:
1) REST, REST, REST
“Fatigue is real. New mothers should not be afraid to ask for help from family and friends. Physical recovery is hugely important as it can take several weeks or months for a woman's body to fully recover from childbirth.
“Physical pain is also a reality from the process of birthing a baby including stitches or a caesarean section operation which adds to discomfort for mothers. Medication for pain management is therefore important. Coupled with good nutrition and rest, this increases breastfeeding success.
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2) EMOTIONAL SUPPORT
“Equally important is emotional well-being which plays a significant role in breastfeeding. Supportive partners, family members and healthcare providers can offer emotional support, encouragement, and reassurance, which help alleviate stress and anxiety, creating a conducive environment for successful breastfeeding.
“Well-informed mothers are more likely to approach breastfeeding with confidence and have a higher chance of success.”
3) HEALTHCARE SUPPORT
“Healthcare professionals play a vital role in postpartum recovery support and education by providing personalised guidance, addressing concerns, offering practical tips and referring mothers to additional resources as needed. New moms, especially, do not always get latching and breastfeeding techniques the first time. Be patient with yourself and your baby. If milk supply is challenging, get in touch with your doctor or nurse at your healthcare clinic for assistance.
“Remember you are not a failure and that it is not your fault if baby is fussy and not feeding. Help is always on hand and most nurses are well equipped to assist with breastfeeding, post-partum recovery, proper nutrition, hydration, and sleep hygiene, which all contributes to overall well-being and optimal milk production. By prioritising comprehensive postpartum support and education, healthcare professionals significantly enhance breastfeeding outcomes.”
4) BUILD CONFIDENCE
“Postpartum recovery support and education help instil confidence in new mothers, empowering them to overcome breastfeeding challenges.
“Mothers who feel well-supported and knowledgeable, are more likely to persist with breastfeeding and navigate difficulties successfully.”
When new parent prioritise their holistic wellness first, Lizeth emphasises, they can establish and maintain a healthy milk supply, ensuring Baby gets sufficient nourishment, contributing to prolonged breastfeeding.
“Mothers who receive the necessary support and education are also more likely to breastfeed exclusively and continue breastfeeding for the recommended duration, providing their infants with optimal health benefits.”
This proves the African idiom true: It indeed does take a village!
