The stress related to baby feeding is layered and the connections are extensive but that means the stress-reducing solutions can go far beyond personal responsibility.
It's another fantastic article, Molly. There are so many great points made that it feels like I'll need to revisit it over and over again. But one thing is certainly clear - to reduce the burden stress has on mothers, there is a need for systemic changes rather than singular, sporadic strategies (like educating women about the benefits of breastfeeding without legal provisions for pumping, maternity leave, or childcare places for older siblings).
I appreciate your point that stress-reducing/mother supporting strategies need to go beyond personal responsibility. Certainly parents need to strategize on a personal level, but so many of the obstacles and barriers we face (e.g. childcare costs) are part of a larger systemic problem. Thank you for this fantastic article, Molly.
It's another fantastic article, Molly. There are so many great points made that it feels like I'll need to revisit it over and over again. But one thing is certainly clear - to reduce the burden stress has on mothers, there is a need for systemic changes rather than singular, sporadic strategies (like educating women about the benefits of breastfeeding without legal provisions for pumping, maternity leave, or childcare places for older siblings).
I appreciate your point that stress-reducing/mother supporting strategies need to go beyond personal responsibility. Certainly parents need to strategize on a personal level, but so many of the obstacles and barriers we face (e.g. childcare costs) are part of a larger systemic problem. Thank you for this fantastic article, Molly.