Contingency Plans

A recent study out of Canada  showed that many mothers intend to breastfeed but don't have a contingency plan if that doesn't work.  And this, I think, highlights a common trend.

Usually, a mother-to-be will determine how she wants to feed her child before heading to the hospital for delivery.  And, for those who want to breastfeed (a large proportion) , I wonder how many discuss with their doctors ahead of time the challenges of breastfeeding, how to overcome those challenges, and what to do if they've exhausted all options.

For instance, it would be prudent for doctors to tell women that breastfeeding can be a lonely sport when you're sitting there watching the clock at three in the morning, and your baby keeps falling asleep before eating enough.  It's also sometimes hard for babies to latch on.  Or maybe, your milk takes a long time to come in.

There are solutions for all of these and other challenges.  But how many doctors discuss where to go for help. How many doctors talk about a contingency plan if breastfeeding doesn't work?  And there should be discussion about how using formula doesn't mean you have to give up breastfeeding or that you can still pump and use that liquid gold with or without formula.  And finally, doctors or other healthcare professionals who are dispensing advice should let mothers know that, if, in the end, breastfeeding or pumping just doesn't work, that formula is the only safe alternative and it's nothing to be ashamed of.

Developing contingency plans is vitally important for the health of the newborn as well as the physical and psychological health of the mother.