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Aleksandra Balazy-Knas's avatar

This is a fantastic piece full of research Molly. And that bit just summarises what I tend to discuss with women in my practice when breastfeeding itself becomes a stressor (aka, the best thing out of all, is mum's well-being!):

"'breast is pretty darn great… but NOT at the expense of the mother’s health and wellbeing'.

When we start there, we can fight for education + support and other broad solutions to limit exposure to the stressors associated with breastfeeding/feeding decisions while viewing breastfeeding/feeding decisions as a stress-inducing risk factor at an individual level."

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Molly Dickens, PhD's avatar

Thank you so much, Aleks!

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Joy V.'s avatar

So glad I found this article! I had severe postpartum PTSD and felt VERY pressured to breastfeed, which contributed to my exhaustion and sleep deprivation in the hospital (I spent a week there with HELLP syndrome and a full-term but underweight baby in the NICU). Things would have been so different had I been told by a kind nurse, "hey, your body is very sick and it's going to take a long time to recover. your best decision may be to formula feed so your family can help take care of feedings and you can prioritize sleep. producing breastmilk right now does not need to be a high priority and you can bond with your baby as you have energy."

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Molly Dickens, PhD's avatar

You captured EXACTLY what needs to be said in those situations.

I truly appreciate you sharing your story and I'm so sorry you went through this.

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Kay M.'s avatar

Love this piece, Molly. SO fascinating: "Breastfeeding mothers experienced guilt in relation to family and peers; formula feeding mothers experienced guilt in relation to healthcare providers and peers. "

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Molly Dickens, PhD's avatar

Thanks, Kay!

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Lane Anderson's avatar

Of course we know more about ED than breastfeeding! 🤱Men’s pleasure over everyone else’s survival and baseline wellbeing is such a thread in your findings and it’s so angering. Keep up the good work!

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Molly Dickens, PhD's avatar

Right?!

It's how I feel about the placenta research too 🤓

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Mar 20, 2024
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Molly Dickens, PhD's avatar

this is so interesting, Ruth. I doubt there is much out there on class-related directionality of "guilt-tripping" into stopping vs continuing to breastfeed. If there is, I would LOVE to see it.

The UK is an interesting model for this bc as you point out both groups of moms are working with the same HCPs and getting different messages. Healthcare is much more divided in the US.

Definitely not barking up the wrong tree! Such an important consideration!

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