Breastfeeding Boost Possible After Royal Birth
(PRWEB) July 30, 2013 -- The Duchess of Cambridge is reportedly successfully breastfeeding newborn Prince George after a shaky start, following recent traditions set by Princess Diana and the Queen Mother. The efforts of public figures in setting the example are an ongoing source of inspiration for new mothers to persevere with their own efforts of nursing, especially when for centuries in the past, royal babies were traditionally handed over to wet nurses soon after birth.
So just how important are these role models?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that breastfeeding continue for at least 12 months, and thereafter for as long as mother and baby desire. But the latest data showed only 47.2% of moms were still nursing their babies at 6 months and only 25.5% at 12 months.
Despite the numerous benefits, many new mothers give up nursing due to the stigma of breastfeeding – their fear of being able to nurse their babies discreetly in public; their reluctance to deal with society’s perception that breastfeeding in public is inappropriate despite the many laws passed in the United States that protect a woman’s right to breastfeed in any place, public or private, as long as she’s authorised to be there; or the lack of support from their employer to enable them to express their milk while at work.
So, how can every mom be expected to continue nursing her child when she is confronted with this stigma at every turn? She can look for support from:
- Birth Facilities whose policies and practices significantly impact whether a woman chooses to start breastfeeding and how long she continues to breastfeed;
- Mother-To-Mother groups such as the La Leche League;
- Professionals like International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs); and
- Child Care Settings when making her choices of where to have her infant cared for when she returns to work.
Choosing whether or not to breastfeed is certainly a very personal decision and one that ultimately must be respected. It is the decisions made by public figures like the Duchess of Cambridge that will inspire new mothers to do their best for their baby and to keep on going when the going gets tough.
Kathryn Michaels is the author of Bedroom Secrets, a reality-inspired series about millennium moms, released by Islandreamz Publishing and available on Amazon in paperback and on kindle, at http://www.amazon.com/Kathryn-Michaels/e/B00AQKP6Y4. Her reality-inspired novel, Crazy for Milk, takes the reader through the journey of a millennium mom as she tries to be the everything to everyone – the perfect wife, mother and employee – and her experiences as she learns to deal with breastfeeding, intimacy, physical exhaustion, sleep deprivation, guilt, loneliness and fear. The question the book poses is, “How does a millennium mom juggle all the internal and external expectations without losing herself?” For more information about her books or Kathryn Michaels, please log on to http://www.writemekathryn.com/. Members of the media who wish to review her books may request a complimentary copy by contacting the publisher, Islandreamz Publishing at +1 (416) 275-5195.
Kathryn Michaels, Islandreamz Publishing, http://www.writemekathryn.com/, +1 (416) 275 5195, [email protected]
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