Mum's the Word: Breastfeeding
Conventional obstetrical care in America has lost touch with a transgenerational wisdom related to birthing and new motherhood. Obstetricians no longer know how to manually assess fetal growth and resort to excessive and irresponsible use of ultrasound, they don’t know what a vaginal delivery can or should look like, let alone a breech delivery, and they no longer see the value in educating patients about breastfeeding.
- This analysis assessed the initial visit – arguably the only time a patient will actually dialogue with their rushed and overbooked provider – interactions with 377 patients and found that providers – including midwives and nurse practitioners – discussed breastfeeding only 29% of the time, and on average for only 39 seconds!
- Nurse midwives were 25 times more likely to engage in this discussion than MDs or NPs.
- Breastfeeding in a culture where many moms are mothering without family and community support is difficult and requires education and active intervention. Education about the critical importance of breastfeeding to maternal and infant health is a reproductive practitioner’s responsibility.
- If you need support or have questions, I highly recommend a lactation consultant and find Kellymom to be an excellent resource.
Insufficient prenatal breastfeeding education is the the norm, not the exception. Read the study yourself.
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