by Frances Laing

Created on: February 23, 2009

In many countries of the world, rates of breastfeeding have gone down significantly in recent decades. The U.N advises that babies be breastfed full-time for at least the first six months of their lives. This is simply because breast milk in the early days is the absolute best form of nutrition they can have.

One of the reasons why breastfeeding rates have gone down significantly is because there is now a broken link between generations. For lots of reasons - many daughters and sons who become parents have not inherited a knowledge of breastfeeding or a sense of confidence about it. They may even experience objections from family, which may be based on misunderstandings or may even have other, psychological reasons. For the sake of every child's future health, it is becoming increasingly important to learn how to overcome these obstacles.

A new mother may experience a certain amount of pressure from her own mother not to breastfeed. This may sometimes be traced back to the grandmother's attitude to breastfeeding. Perhaps the grandmother did not manage to breastfeed successfully. There may be an emotional agenda there which it is important to understand.

These are some of the reasons why it is vital for new mothers to gain effective support from outside of their own family. The worldwide organisation called the La Leche League offers 24 hour helplines in some areas, as well as local groups where nursing mothers can go to receive one-to-one assistance from their peers and experienced La Leche League leaders.

There will also be support with issues like this on offer from midwives and the local hospital health network.

Sometimes there may be resistance from other members of the family. It is very important to get fathers on board, and many organisations believe that partner support can make or break a successful breastfeeding relationship.

All in all, a new mother will be on a fast learning curve as far as breastfeeding is concerned. It is vital that her confidence grows and that she is able, through her own presence, a nurturing relationship with her child, and her own confidence that she is in a position to withstand any pressure she may receive from family.

Most objections can be tackled by providing information and through assertiveness. The quiet and steady belief that if you breastfeed you are doing your best for your child and your family.

The La Leche League can provide information and a marvellous variety of books that can help to achieve this goal.

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