Breastfeeding: Navigating Benefits, Challenges, and the Steps Healthcare Stakeholders Can Take Towards Solutions
August is National Breastfeeding Awareness Month. Together we can provide solutions and support to help women have a successful breastfeeding journey.
Read Length: 6 Minutes??
Breastfeeding, while a natural and beneficial practice for both mother and child, presents numerous challenges for many women. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 84% of infants start out being breastfed, but this number drops to 58% at six months and only 35% at one year.
These numbers fall even more significantly for Black women and women of color, with only 69% of Black infants ever being breastfed. Despite its benefits, the challenges and disparities in breastfeeding highlight the need for increased support and resources for all mothers, particularly those in marginalized communities.?
The Challenges
One primary challenge is the lack of adequate maternity leave . In the United States, many women return to work within weeks of giving birth, facing environments that may not support breastfeeding. Another challenge is the social stigma associated with breastfeeding in public. Despite laws protecting the right to breastfeed in public, many women face uncomfortable stares, negative comments, and a general lack of acceptance.??
Women of color face additional barriers, including limited culturally competent support and education. Healthcare providers may not always understand or address the unique cultural beliefs, practices, and challenges that influence breastfeeding decisions within these communities.?
Additionally, many healthcare providers lack comprehensive training on breastfeeding techniques and troubleshooting common issues. Consequently, new mothers might receive inconsistent or inadequate advice, leading to difficulties in establishing and maintaining breastfeeding. The promotion of formula feeding by healthcare professionals and hospitals can also undermine breastfeeding efforts.?
Addressing the Challenges for Change?
To address these challenges, healthcare stakeholders can take several proactive steps:?
By addressing these barriers and implementing supportive measures, healthcare stakeholders can significantly improve breastfeeding rates and outcomes. Enhanced support for breastfeeding benefits individual families and contributes to public health by reducing infant illnesses and fostering stronger mother-child bonds.??
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ProgenyHealth Support??
ProgenyHealth’s Case Managers and lactation specialists work to meet the mother where she is when it comes to her desire to breastfeed. Our staff provides one-on-one support and guidance by reinforcing techniques and teachings that a woman may have already learned through her hospital experience. ?
As part of our most recent member satisfaction survey, we discovered an increase in mothers starting to breastfeed from time of birth in our program. In 2019, we helped 72% of our enrolled members breastfeed and were able to increase that number to 87% in 2023, slightly above the national average. Many mothers just need to know that someone is there to help when they run into difficulties or get frustrated.?
By providing personalized assistance and guidance, ProgenyHealth has successfully increased breastfeeding rates among members, demonstrating the potential for improvement when mothers receive the help they need. ?With concerted effort and commitment, we can work towards ensuring all mothers have the opportunity and support to successfully breastfeed.?
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