Barriers to Breastfeeding

You may be wondering if breastfeeding will fit your current lifestyle. Women who are thinking about breastfeeding, or who are in the early days of parenting, can form negative feelings about breastfeeding. These negative feelings can be related to:

• Hearing conflicting information about breastfeeding from different people.
• Worrying that they will not be able to breastfeed successfully.
• Worrying that they will lose their freedom if they breastfeed.
• Feeling like they will not be supported in their choice to breastfeed.
• A past negative experience related to body image, sexuality or abuse.

There are also barriers in our society that can affect a woman's choice to breastfeed. These barriers include:

• Breasts being promoted in the media as sexual objects.
• Breast milk substitutes (infant formula) being promoted to expectant and new parents, and compared to breast milk.
• Some mothers need to return to work early after the birth for financial reasons.

Women are more likely to report a positive breastfeeding experience, meet personal breastfeeding goals, and to breastfeed for longer when they:

• Receive consistent and reliable information about breastfeeding.
• Receive breastfeeding support from family, friends and health care providers both before and after the baby is born.
• Live, work and play in communities openly supportive of breastfeeding.

Take some time to explore the information in our breastfeeding pages. Here you will find:

• Information to help you make an informed decision about feeding your baby.
• Current and accurate information about breast milk and breastfeeding.
• Tips for safe, comfortable, and effective breastfeeding.
• How to make breastfeeding work for you and your family.
• Contact information for local breastfeeding support and help.
• Information about your right to breastfeed anytime, anywhere.

For more information, call (705) 721-7520 or click Your Health Connection and speak with a public health nurse.