SOURCE: SafeHealthyChildren.org

I was recently contacted by Benenden (personal health care experts) about a survey they’ve undertaken to coincide with this week’s World Breastfeeding Week. The aim was to unpack some of the concerns women have about breastfeeding in public, and to try and dig a little deeper as to other people’s views, both for and against. It certainly makes for interesting reading.

By surveying men and women from a range of age groups and ethnicities, the hope was to not just find out just how much of the population doesn’t agree with breastfeeding in public, but why this is and whether these opinions are impacting on a mother’s decision to breastfeed. While many people don’t see a problem with it, many others find it quite off-putting and even offensive – but why? Is it down to personal views or even a deeper reason, such as faith?

SOURCE: The Metro, 2011

The results!

Encouragingly, the survey reveals that 84% of those surveyed either breastfed, or supported their partner in doing so. The pro-breastfeeding message is clearly getting through as the majority of those answering affirmatively cite their reason for choosing breast milk is that it’s healthier than formula.

My views on this might be considered controversial, but bear with me.

Although it would be silly of me to argue with science (I know that breast milk is indeed more nutritious for baby), I have a real problem with the constant pressure from midwives, and have questioned their insistence on it fairly audibly on this blog. I felt very much as though the NHS strong-armed me into breastfeeding from the get-go with both of my children. Midwives never missed an opportunity to sell breastfeeding in antenatal classes, and I felt incredibly pressurised to whip out my boobs when recovering from my c-section with Dexter. This, despite the fact I was completely overwhelmed and sore from surgery.

Whilst I wholly support women who choose to breastfeed (I lasted 6 weeks with both of my children), I just wish healthcare professionals would be more supportive of those who choose not to do so. Indeed, there are some circumstances where breastfeeding is not possible, or even damaging to a woman’s mental health. I certainly felt there was a link between my own PND and breastfeeding.

Less than 10% of those who abandoned breastfeeding, or didn’t attempt it, cite emotive reasons such as feeling uncomfortable with it. Instead, the reasons given are largely practical such as pain or low milk supply. Sadly, lack of supply is actually a myth. Every woman has the capacity to breastfeed, and every woman who persists with it will have an adequate supply to sate baby. Similarly, pain is most likely a product of poor technique and could be nipped in the bud quickly by a lactation consultant. If you’re currently struggling and need a little support, I recommend the book Breastfeeding Made Easy by Carlos González which is great for debunking a variety of myths surrounding breastfeeding.

As regards the contentious issue of breastfeeding in public, the news is a little disheartening. I breastfed in public with Dexter just once, in a Macdonald’s carpark. I left the restaurant as I felt that I was putting people off their food, and forcing mums to confront a barrage of uncomfortable questions from their curious children. Needless to say my breastfeeding days with Dexter were numbered after this. It seems I’m not alone either.

I certainly have some sympathy with the 27% who cite that they abandoned breastfeeding as they’ve had difficulties getting themselves and baby into a comfy position. I struggled enormously with this due to my 34HH boobs. More worrying, however is the perceived negativity and hostility from onlookers. The press have certainly done a job on us all and are incredibly quick to print stories of nursing mums being kicked out of public spaces.

But it seems some of this paranoia is unfounded. Despite the fact that almost half of those surveyed had not attempted to breastfeed in public, perhaps more importantly only 20% of those that do embrace out-and-about feeds have experienced negativity from others. 20% is still too high in my opinion, but it’s certainly better than I expected.

Perhaps the most interesting response of all however is the feedback from those brave enough to voice their personal reasons for not appreciating breastfeeding in public (12% of people surveyed). Thankfully faith was cited by only a negligible number of people, and most went onto say they would be more supportive if a woman wore a cover-up.

Far from being upset by this, I find it refreshing. I actually share a few of these concerns myself as I felt so concerned about other people’s feelings when I was breastfeeding my children. Even at home I would retreat to the bedroom if we had guests.

Was I too prudish? Unnecessarily concerned? I don’t know. But I do try to the respect the choices of everyone, and mine was to breastfeed alone, at home.

*** WIN a £50 Amazon voucher courtesy of Benenden ***

In order to keep the debating going, Benenden are offering one lucky reader the chance to win £50 worth of Amazon vouchers. All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning, is share your experience of breastfeeding by leaving me a comment. If you’re yet to join the wonderful world of parenting you can just say what you think about the survey (HERE), or show your support (or indeed, lack of) for women who choose to breastfeed in public.

To make it fair, the winner will be picked completely at random by Rafflecopter.

Good luck guys!

a Rafflecopter giveaway