Thanks for sharing these breast feeding `trauma' stories- because that's what they are. At a time when the mother is psychologically and physically vulnerable to put so much pressure abut BF is nothing short of inflicting trauma. I am a perinatal psychiatrist and these experiences are so real and revealing. I apologise to all mothers on …
Thanks for sharing these breast feeding `trauma' stories- because that's what they are. At a time when the mother is psychologically and physically vulnerable to put so much pressure abut BF is nothing short of inflicting trauma. I am a perinatal psychiatrist and these experiences are so real and revealing. I apologise to all mothers on behalf of the medical system that we put so much pressure on you and yet do not provide proper information on breastfeeding. As someone who cares equally for mothers and babies, I always root for the mother because it is only when a mum is calm around her baby that she can provide a nurturing environment. It is about her choice and what works best for each mother and baby. I am old enough to be a grand mum now but I remember having a lot of difficulties breastfeeding. Fortunately I had a supportive spouse and mother and my baby did well with a combination of breast an formula but sometimes I am still wistful that if only someone had taught me about latching and how to feed properly it would have been a different journey (yes, I was a doctor and still struggled with breast feeding). I also want to highlight the importance of sleep for the mental health of a new mum. The recommendation is 4 hours of uninterrupted sleep and one awakening followed by 2 hours of sleep. How is that even possible if she is not supported during breastfeeding either through expressed milk, formula or even a partner getting up to change the nappy and soothe the infant ? In our perinatal mental health service we start sleep education for both partners in pregnancy especially if the mother has had a previous mental health problem.
I have seen too many mothers becoming anxious and depressed in their breastfeeding journey- which could have been so easily prevented.
Thank you so much for this comment, Dr Chandra ❤️ I'm not even exaggerating that in four years of writing such stories, this is the FIRST time a medical health practitioner has shown such kindness and acknowledged this failure of their profession. Oh sleep. Glorious gorgeous sleep. I am a thousand percent sure that even a few hours more sleep would have drastically changed my motherhood experience in the first few years, and maybe even averted my PPD altogether. I sincerely hope and pray that the apathy of the obgyn community gets more attention and rectification so that we can treat the next generation of mothers with basic humanity ❤️
Thanks for sharing these breast feeding `trauma' stories- because that's what they are. At a time when the mother is psychologically and physically vulnerable to put so much pressure abut BF is nothing short of inflicting trauma. I am a perinatal psychiatrist and these experiences are so real and revealing. I apologise to all mothers on behalf of the medical system that we put so much pressure on you and yet do not provide proper information on breastfeeding. As someone who cares equally for mothers and babies, I always root for the mother because it is only when a mum is calm around her baby that she can provide a nurturing environment. It is about her choice and what works best for each mother and baby. I am old enough to be a grand mum now but I remember having a lot of difficulties breastfeeding. Fortunately I had a supportive spouse and mother and my baby did well with a combination of breast an formula but sometimes I am still wistful that if only someone had taught me about latching and how to feed properly it would have been a different journey (yes, I was a doctor and still struggled with breast feeding). I also want to highlight the importance of sleep for the mental health of a new mum. The recommendation is 4 hours of uninterrupted sleep and one awakening followed by 2 hours of sleep. How is that even possible if she is not supported during breastfeeding either through expressed milk, formula or even a partner getting up to change the nappy and soothe the infant ? In our perinatal mental health service we start sleep education for both partners in pregnancy especially if the mother has had a previous mental health problem.
I have seen too many mothers becoming anxious and depressed in their breastfeeding journey- which could have been so easily prevented.
Thank you so much for this comment, Dr Chandra ❤️ I'm not even exaggerating that in four years of writing such stories, this is the FIRST time a medical health practitioner has shown such kindness and acknowledged this failure of their profession. Oh sleep. Glorious gorgeous sleep. I am a thousand percent sure that even a few hours more sleep would have drastically changed my motherhood experience in the first few years, and maybe even averted my PPD altogether. I sincerely hope and pray that the apathy of the obgyn community gets more attention and rectification so that we can treat the next generation of mothers with basic humanity ❤️