lactivism

my name is julie, and i'm a lactivist.

lactivist  

-n. 

1. a portmanteau of "lactation" and "activism", used to describe a breastfeeding advocate.

why, you ask?

because i believe in the crazy idea that the breast is best for baby.* breastmilk is a free, eco-friendly food source for our babies. and hey, who doesn't want a boost for baby's immune system and innumerable other health benefits? not to mention that it is a sweet way to promote bonding and can be an incredibly empowering experience for moms. words can't express how wonderful it feels to help a new mom learn how to breastfeed her child!

i've taken it upon myself to learn more about the ins and outs of breastfeeding, so that i can really help parents get comfortable with the process, working through some of the common pitfalls, and feeling confident that they can provide this for their baby. in general, i think as physicians we don't do a great job with this. we simply don't talk to our patients about it enough. as health care providers, helping to maximize breastfeeding rates for our patients is a process with several points of intervention:

1. prenatal care (starting the conversation early during OB visits, breastfeeding classes, etc.)
2. labor & delivery, mother-baby hospital stay (kangaroo care, hands-on support with nursing)
3. postpartum care (close follow-up, support groups, newborn clinic visits)

so often on the mother-baby unit, my new moms are seriously deer-in-headlights, scrambling to nurse but unprepared, exhausted, and overwhelmed. overworked nurses, with varying levels of experience and enthusiasm about breastfeeding, are often shouldered with the bulk of responsibility of trying to play "catch-up" and help mothers get competent with breastfeeding in the hopes that they remain successful after discharge home. this isn't right, and this isn't enough.

the postpartum period is a very vulnerable time, and it is EVERYONE's job to help women feel supported in their breastfeeding efforts. family docs, ob/gyn's, pediatricians, nurses, lactation staff, and family/friends need to all be on board. we need to send a consistent message to mothers that they CAN do this, that they ARE enough and that they are doing an incredible job.

this deserves a whole other blogpost (stay tuned!), but full disclosure that i have taken it upon myself to reignite the lactivism flame at our hospital and people are, no pun intended, PUMPED. i sense a sea change, and amazing things are happening that are supporting a more breastfeeding-friendly culture and dare i say, possibly a baby-friendly hospital designation in the long-run?! a girl can dream, can't she?

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*as a lactivist, i want to make it clear that i am not a "bottle basher". every woman has the right to choose for herself whether she wants to breastfeed or bottle-feed her child, or both. i simply want to help encourage society to learn about the benefits of breastfeeding and to help women feel supported in their decision to nurse their children if they wish to do so.