Breaking the barriers to breastfeeding

babycity® X Haakaa® collaborative blog 

It's World Breastfeeding Week, and this year's theme - "Breastfeeding Support for All" couldn’t be more important. For an overwhelming number of people, the breastfeeding journey starts out difficult and remains just as hard throughout. Providing support to breastfeeding parents and their families has been linked to more positive outcomes and increased breastfeeding success. Unfortunately, not everyone has access to the support that leads them to this success, while others aren't sure what support they need or where to look for it.    

Today we'll explore some of the key support points recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO), and how we can help implement them so that everyone has the same opportunities when it comes to shaping their breastfeeding journey.  

In New Zealand, 80% of babies remain exclusively breastfed when discharged from facilities such as birth centres and hospitals, but by three months, this falls to just 47% and drops even more to a mere 20% by six months. While there are a plethora of factors contributing to this decline, such as medical, financial, or social challenges; having a broad support framework to guide families through the difficulties that may arise, will help to narrow the widening gap between those who wish to and can breastfeed and those who want to but face obstacles on their journey.   

Professional Support 

Ensuring that new mothers and babies learning to breastfeed have access to and receive support from trained professionals available to guide them through this process is crucial. It’s a common misconception that breastfeeding comes naturally to both mother and baby; in reality, it’s a skill that both need to learn and practice, in order to tune into each other's rhythms.  

Having professionals who can provide respectful, culturally safe support, advice and guidance to families who need (and want) it, regardless if it’s their first or subsequent child, is essential in guiding towards more successful breastfeeding outcomes. This professional support may come from nurses, midwives, doctors or lactation consultants - sometimes a combination of all four! Since these professionals address different needs, a flexible support system is essential – especially as not all mothers deliver in a hospital or in a built-up urban environment. Ideally, this support should be available on an ongoing basis, allowing families to have clear direction and ability to access these professionals whenever needed.  

Maternity Entitlements 

The second key point the WHO emphasises on is the importance of maternity entitlements. In New Zealand, the current law allows for up to 26 weeks of paid parental leave. However, there are criteria which must be met to be eligible, including averaging at least 10 hours of paid employment for any 26 of the 52 weeks before going on maternity leave.  

Maternity leave, particularly paid leave, is a key factor in establishing and maintaining breastfeeding. Studies have shown breastfeeding rates fall drastically when parents have to choose between work and their family. While continuing to breastfeed after returning to work is possible, it often poses significant challenges, due to time constraints, financial costs (breast pumping equipment can be expensive), or personal circumstances. 

The difficulty of balancing work and breastfeeding can create further disparities, as parents may face inadequate support from employers, or lack suitable facilities to breastfeed or pump at work. Ensuring that all parents have access to adequate maternity entitlements is essential for promoting and sustaining breastfeeding. It helps level the playing field, giving every child the best start in life. 

Normalisation 

The final WHO point is perhaps the most difficult – although there have been some positive strides forward in recent years – the normalisation of breastfeeding, particularly in public. This societal change is a huge driving factor in enabling mothers to continue their breastfeeding journey. 

The more people can embrace and normalise breastfeeding, the faster that societal change will occur. Normalisation not only includes the freedom to breastfeed in public without censure, it also includes childcare centres, workplaces and government (both local and central) having practices and policies in place that enable women to continue breastfeeding beyond the initial few days after birth.  

New Zealand brand Haakaa has developed a few key products to help reduce the stress felt by many on their breastfeeding journeys, particularly in those vulnerable first few months.  

Their award-winning Colostrum Collector provides the opportunity to collect, store and feed colostrum, allowing families to feed their babies should any difficulties arise during birth - particularly with premature births or little ones with latching difficulties.  

Haakaa Silicone Colostrum Collector Set

Their range of manual breast pumps and Ladybug Milk Collectors also help to provide eco-friendly and budget-friendly alternatives from other products on the market, which may be out of reach financially to many mothers.   

Haakaa breast pumps Gen1, Gen2, Silicone Breast Pump Flower Stopper, Gen3 & Gen3 with Silicone Cap

To support mothers and their families, our friends at Haakaa have also created a foundation for the community to guide the future of breastfeeding in a positive direction. 

Haakaa is honoured to join the cause in bridging this gap and allowing every mother to determine her own breastfeeding journey, however that might look to her. 

World Breastfeeding Week reminds us that breastfeeding is not just a personal journey but a communal responsibility. The ability to shape your breastfeeding experience and access breastfeeding support should be a right, not a privilege for those that are in a more fortunate circumstance. By ensuring professional support, adequate maternity entitlements and the normalisation of breastfeeding in all settings; we can create an environment where every mother feels empowered and supported to breastfeed their baby. Let’s move towards a future where breastfeeding support is accessible, inclusive, and effective ♥️ 

If you are struggling with breastfeeding, please speak to you trusted health professional or lactation consultant for support and guidance tailored to your journey. You can also find helpful resources on Plunket and New Zealand Breastfeeding Alliance websites, and consider using the Mama Aroha app, which babycity® recommends for additional breastfeeding support and information.